Mild Steel Passivation and Depassivation in Simulated Concrete Pore Solution Containing Bacteria Metabolites

Abstract:

Although much less investigated than that induced by chlorides, the corrosion of steel reinforcing bars due to bacteria metabolic products is recognised as a serious issue, primarily for concrete pipes in sewer network. In order to overcome the complications due to the preparation of concrete samples the investigation was performed using simulating solutions. The passivation of the metallic specimens was obtained by immersion in Ca (OH)_{2 sat} and monitored through several different electrochemical techniques. The depassivation was induced by either sulphuric acid or sulphides in order to simulate different bacterial metabolites. Anodic polarization curves and optical microscopy examination revealed a significant corrosion in the former case, while a competitive interaction among the sulphide and the alkalinity was hypothesized in sulphide-containing solutions.

• Periodical: Solid State Phenomena (Volume 227)
• Pages: 203-206
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/SSP.227.203
• Online since: January 2015
• Authors: Enrico Volpi*, Matteo Stefanoni, Andrea Olietti, Stefano Trasatti
• Keywords: Microbial Corrosion, Simulated Concrete Pore Solution, Steel Passivation, Steel Reinforcing Bar Corrosion

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