The effectiveness of corrosion inhibitors in reducing corrosion in chloride contaminated RC structures

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the effectiveness of a corrosion inhibitor (Protectosil CIT®) using reinforced concrete beam specimens with three different binder types. Active corrosion in the specimens was induced by cyclic (2 weeks) drying and immersion of test specimens in a salt solution. Three levels of corrosion, namely: low (<0.5 µA/cm²), moderate (0.5–1.0 µA/cm²) and high (>1.0 µA/cm²) were induced in the specimens. The effectiveness of the corrosion inhibitor was monitored over a duration of 134 weeks from their time of application. The assessment of the effectiveness of the corrosion inhibitor was done with respect to corrosion rate, Half-Cell Potential (HCP) and concrete resistivity measurements. The test results show that corrosion rates and HCPs decreased significantly in all the specimens in which the corrosion inhibitor was applied, indicating that the inhibitor was successful in lowering the risk of corrosion damage to the specimens.