Assessment of stainless steel reinforcement for concrete structures rehabilitation

The aim of this study was to revise the factors influencing the service life of galvanic coupling between carbon steel and stainless steel reinforcements in simulated concrete pore solution, simulating the condition of a damaged structure repaired with stainless steel reinforcing bars. Numerous investigations have reported that austenitic stainless steel rebar, compared to carbon steel, when embedded in concrete, offer superior corrosion resistance in aggressive environments, especially chloride contaminated concrete. In concrete, contact with other metals should be avoided because of the risk of galvanic corrosion. When passive, both carbon steel and stainless steel have comparable corrosion potentials and the coupling of the two materials is of little effect on the corrosion behavior of either material. Galvanic current values measured between carbon and stainless steel are negligible. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.