ABSTRACT

Abstract Chlorides are the main environmental agent producing damage in reinforced concrete structures via the metallic corrosion and the products spread out through the pore microstructure producing microstructural changes which affect the stability of the material leading to the failure of the structure. In order to getting deeper knowledge of this process, calcium chloride was added to the mixing water of a mortar to promote the reinforcement corrosion. After two years of exposure at 100% RH, the specimens were prepared to be studied by means of the back-scattering electron microscope. EDS analyses were also performed at the interface mortar-steel. Keywords: BSE microscopy, Chlorides, Corrosion, Cover, Microstructure, Mortar, Reinforcement.