Investigation corrosion of reinforcement in diatomite and zeolite substituted concrete with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) method

Corrosion, in general, is defined as the disintegration of the properties in a material which consequently renders it unusable. Corrosion can be seen in every branch of industry. The use of metal in every field of technology has rapidly steered the construction industry in the direction of steel construction. The precipitous increase in the world population shows parallels with metal production. It is thoroughly understood that the deterioration of equipment or its malfunction due to corrosion results in the reduction of industrial production and that the by-products of corroded materials are extremely harmful to human health and the environment. In addition, the fact that underground mineral deposits are rapidly running out further increases the significance of corrosion. One of the major disadvantages of reinforced concrete structures is the corrosion of the steel reinforcement. Corrosion occurring in the reinforcement, over time, leads to reduction of the steel-concrete bond and to section losses. The aim of this study was to reveal the corrosion mechanism in ribbed reinforcement within additive-free (reference), 20% zeolite-doped and 20% diatomite-doped concrete samples, through exposure to 0,5 M H2SO4 and 1 M HCl, the most commonly used acids in industry. Measurements were carried out using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Results of the experiments showed that the resistance of the 20% zeolite concrete sample and reinforcement was greater than that of the 20% diatomite and the reference concrete samples and accordingly, the 20% zeolite sample was found to have undergone less corrosion. In addition, more physical and electrochemical changes were seen in the concrete samples and reinforcement in the H2SO4 medium compared to the HCl.