Effect of admixtures in concrete on the corrosion resistance of steel reinforced concrete

The effect of admixtures, namely silica fume, latex, methylcellulose and sh ort carbon fibers (in Various combinations), in concrete on the corrosion r esistance of steel reinforced concrete was assessed by measuring the corros ion potential and corrosion current density during immersion in Ca(OH)(2) a nd NaCl solutions. Silica fume (15% by weight of cement) was most effective for improving the corrosion resistance, due to decrease of water absorptiv ity, and not so much due to increase in electrical resistivity. Latex (20% by weight of cement) improved the corrosion resistance because it decreased the water absorptivity and increased the electrical resistivity. Methylcel lulose (0.4% by weight of cement) improved corrosion resistance only slight ly. Carbon fibers (0.5% by weight of cement) decreased the corrosion resist ance due to decrease in electrical resistivity. However, the negative effec t could be compensated by adding either silica fume or latex, which reduced the water absorptivity. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. Ail rights reserved .