Evaluation of Corrosion Potentials in Polymeric Mortar Specimens Submitted to Drying and Wetting Cycles in NaCL Solution

José Emidio A. Bezerra¹, Antônio Eduardo B. Cabral², Angel Oshir³, and Raul David Araújo¹

1. Universidade de Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Brazil

2. Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil

3. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Córdoba, Argentina

Abstract: Electrochemical methods for the accelerated induction of corrosion in concrete reinforcement are considered to have similar sensitivity to gravimetric methods and to provide quick answers to the research. With a corrosion analyzer instrument and a copper/copper sulphate semicell, the corrosion potentials of the steel inserted in polymeric mortar specimens can be monitored. In this research, CA 60 steel bars were used without protection, with cathodic protection by zinc and with anodic protection by nitrite for 12 drying cycles in autoclave and wetting in NaCl solution. The polymeric mortar (denser, less voids and les water absorption) provides greater protection for steel than 24 MPa concrete (344 kg/m³ consumption) and the efficiency of protective paints with nitrite-based had comproved.