Chloride-induced corrosion of steel rebars in simulated pore solutions of alkali-activated concretes

The passivation and chloride-induced depassivation of steel rebars immersed in varying alkaline environments (0.80 M, 1.12 M and 1.36 M NaOH solutions), simulating the pore solutions of low-Ca alkali-activated concretes, were investigated using a range of electrochemical techniques. The passive film on the steel rebars was complex in chemical makeup, composed of Fe–hydroxides, oxy-hydroxides and oxides. An increased degree of passivation of the rebars was observed when exposed to solutions with higher hydroxide concentrations. The critical chloride level ([Cl⁻]/[OH⁻] ratio) required to induce depassivation of steel was strongly dependent on the alkalinity of the pore solution, and was found to be 0.90, 1.70 and 2.40 for 0.80 M, 1.12 M and 1.36 M NaOH solutions, respectively. These values all correspond to a constant value of [Cl⁻]/[OH⁻]³ = 1.25, which is a novel relationship to predict the onset of pitting, interlinking chloride concentration and the solubility of the passive film.