Electrochemical techniques for

painting evaluation for protection

reinforced concrete against
corrosion
Adriana de Araujo

Support:

Zehbour Panossian

FAPESP

Protection varnishes studies for reinforced

concrete:

Acrylic

Evaluation of the performance

Establishment of selection
methodology

Polyurethane
CO2
Cl-

Test specimen
Electrochemical techniques :

Execution and integrity of varnishes

thoughout the tests

Test specimen

Electrochemical techniques:

Corrosion potential and corrosion

current density
Moisture of the concrete
Electric contact between electrodes:
Working electrode
Reference electrode
Counter-electrode

Test specimen

Varnishes

film established in the

surface

Low
permeability
Low
conductivity

Test specimen

Electrochemical
techniques
Reference electrode and counterelectrode embedded in concrete with
measurements in your stretch
displayed
moisture of the concrete at the region
of the electrodes through the plastic
tube (for reference electrode)

Reinforced concrete specimen

corrosion potential;

polarization resistance and

corrosion current density

Test specimen no bar

mass variation;

carbonatation depth;

depth and % the chloride;

film adherence;

film visual inspection.

Test specimen

Exposition to agressive environments

Achievement of the companions tests
number and dimensions of the test
specimen;
concrete proportion;
protetion: test specimen edges and
electrodes extremeties;
concrete consolidition;
surface finishing.

Cupper bar

Carbon steel bar

Plastic tube

Test specimen - bar

Protection painting
(bars extremities)

Sponge (for avoiding the

penetration of the cement past
and aggregates)

Electrochemical techniques

Potentostat PAR 273 A

Reference eletrode
Electrolyte solution
Working electrode

Saturated Calomel

Sodium sulfate
(10%)
Steel carbon bar

Parcial painting removed

Introducting electrolyte
solution

Corrosion potential

Reference
eletrode
Working
electrode

Active or passive
state

Automatic:
Electric potential
difference between
carbon steel and
satureted calomel

Corrosion current density

Counter-electrode

Ecorr
Linear polarization curve

(Ecorr
10 mV, scanning speed 10 mV/s);

Tafel constants
Constants B (also for reference)
Rp (also obtained in the best
tangent slop of the curve, around
the Ecorr)

Icorr (also by manual results)

Resultados test specimen

Concrete proportion: interference in the results
Cure: insufficient

Should use a/c ratio

0,65

Should stabilize the mass of the

concrete

Finishing: failure in the concrete execution

Must improve the
consolodation

Elements embebed: infiltration (Cl- test)

Must increase the

adherence (change the
paint type)

Conclusion test specimen

The test specimen is adequate...
...as long as it is well executed, cured,
painted and the electrodes were protected
and adherent to the concrete
...nevertheless in highly aggressive

atmosphere (Cl-) the adherence of the

leaded elements has to be improved

Conclusion Electrochemical techniques

CO2 exposition
The corrosion potential is the best test for the
varnish evaluation, although it is recommended
that it is carried out with another test
(carbonation depth)

The color of the concrete changed (by

pH test) after the corrosion was
detected
Corrosion current density is only useful
for further studies more complex
number: 5 specimens

Conclusion Electrochemical techniques

Cl- exposition
The corrosion potential can be obtained together
with profile chlorates which is the best test for
varnish evaluation

Active state occurs after high % chlorates

have been detected
Corrosion current density is not
representative of pitting corrosion
number: 10 specimens

Conclusion - varnish
The polyurethane varnish...

...has the best properties and

the best performance
protection barrier for
concrete structures against
CO2 and Cl- exposition

CO2 exposition
Polyurethane:

Recently applied film, 2 and 3 coats, leaded to

better protection
Aged film, 2 and 3 coats, is less efficient than the
new one (the protection was similar to the recent
applied acrylic, 3 coats)
Acrylic:

Recently applied film, 3 coats, leaded to protection

such as the aged polyurethane
Recently applied film in 2 coats and aged film, 2 e
3 coats, didnt protect the concrete (was similar to
the specimen without painting)

Cl- exposition
polyurethane:

Recently and aged applied film , 2 and 3 coats,

leaded to better protection
The aging film didnt reduce its
efficiency such as in CO2 exposition
Acrylic:

Recently applied film and aged film, 2 e 3 coats,

didnt protect the concrete (was similar to the
specimen without painting)

end
Thanks for your attention
Thanks Zehbour Panossian
Thanks FAPESP