Corrosion behavior of carbon fiber reinforced polymer anode in simulated impressed current cathodic protection system with 3% NaCl solution

This study investigated the corrosion behavior and failure mechanism of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) employed as an impressed current anode in 3% NaCl solution. The measured feeding voltage and potential indicated that CFRP operated stably at the applied current densities. The experimental results show that the tensile strength of CFRP decreases with increasing charge density. The corrosion rate is approximately 0.02 mm/day for a current density of 6.15 A/m(2). The failure mechanism is due to corrosion of the epoxy in CFRP, where breakage of C-N bonds in the epoxy matrix leads to depolymerization of the epoxy. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.