Effect of calcium nitrite-based corrosion inhibitor in preventing corrosion of embedded steel in concrete

Due to the corrosion inhibition effect and compatibility with concrete properties, calcium nitrite solution has been widely used, in North America and Asia,. However, investigation has often been restricted to tests using a macrocell corrosion monitoring or measuring corrosion rate in an aqueous condition. This study concerns the assessment of the inhibition effect of calcium nitrite-based corrosion inhibitor using a polarisation method and its influence on the chloride transport, compressive strength and setting time of concrete. The calcium nitrite-based corrosion inhibitor significantly reduced the corrosion rate of steel in chloride contaminated mortar and raised the chloride threshold level, ranging from 0.22% to 1.95% by weight of cement, while nitrite-free specimen produced the threshold level ranging from 0.18% to 0.33%. It was observed that concrete specimens containing the corrosion inhibitor produced the higher total charge passed in a rapid test for chloride ion permeability. An increase in the dosage of corrosion inhibitor resulted in a decrease in the concrete setting time. In addition, the compressive strength at early ages was increased by corrosion inhibitor, but in a long term (900 days), decreased to the level for 28 days. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.