Galvanic Corrosion Study between Tensile-Stressed and Non-Stressed Carbon Steels in Simulated Concrete Pore Solution

The present study investigated the galvanic effect between tensile-stressed and non-stressed carbon steels, in addition to the influence of the tensile stress on the passivation and corrosion behavior of steel in a simulated concrete pore solution. Three different levels of tensile stress, ranging from elastic to plastic stress on the surface, were applied by adjusting the displacement of C-shape carbon steel rings. Different electrochemical measurements including the open circuit potential (OCP), the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), the zero-resistance ammetry (ZRA), and the cyclic polarization were performed. Based on the results of EIS, the tensile stress degraded the resistance of the oxide film in moderate frequencies while enhancing the charge transfer resistance in low frequencies during passivation. As corrosion propagated, the stressed steel yielded a similar charge transfer resistance to or an even lower charge transfer resistance than the non-stressed steel, especially in the case of plastic tensile stress. The galvanic effect between the tensile-stressed and non-stressed steels increased the chloride threshold value of the tensile-stressed steel, although the susceptibility to pitting corrosion was exhibited after being corroded.