Effect of Immersion Time in Chloride Solution on the Properties of Structural Rebar Embedded in Alkali-Activated Slag Concrete

The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique is widely used in the study of the corrosion of metallic materials. This method also allows for the electrical characterization at the ceramic–metal interface in contact with an aqueous solution composed of chloride ions. EIS makes it possible to discriminate the contribution of the phenomena that occur in the interface to determine the porosity of the cementitious material. The porosity determines the degree of corrosion of the metallic material and the diffusion processes on the electrode surface. In this study, the degradation of a type of non-Portland cement obtained from blast furnace steel slag and activated alkali was evaluated. This type of cement is of great interest because it avoids the emission of CO2 during its manufacture. Estimating the porosity determined the degree of deterioration suffered by the steel embedded in the concrete as a function of the evaluation time. The hydrated samples were also characterized by 29Si magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) to determine the structure of the formed calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel. This mixture formed a C-S-H gel, constituted mainly of silicon in the middle groups, in chains in the disilicates. The effect of the slag was remarkable in improving the other evaluated characteristics, i.e., in the porous matrix, the concrete was found to significantly reduce the current passing through as a function of time, showing a reduction in porosity and an increase in impedance because of the generated pozzolanic reaction.