The effect of phosphate corrosion inhibitor on steel in synthetic concrete solutions

The study of the corrosion inhibition of armatures made of steel conceived for reinforced concrete by sodium phosphate is the aim object of our experimental tests. Gravimetric and electrochemical measurements were carried in three different Mediums contaminated by chlorides (3% NaCl) with addition of increasing concentrations of sodium phosphate. Inhibitory efficiency reached 80% at an optimal concentration of 7,5 x 10(-3)M, the results obtained using the gravimetric measurements are in good agreement with those obtained by electrochemical methods. However, the monitoring of the pH evolution after 24h shows in the three studied environments, that the pH decreases slightly at 24 hours from the initial pH at t(0), due to the presence of corrosion products which change the state of the final solution. Also, scanning electron microscopy revealed the existence of layers of apatite on the metal surface previously treated with the sodium phosphate which confirms the formation of a protective film around the surface of the metal.