Influence of Silica Fume (SF) Content on Passive Film Formation of Steel Reinforcement Inside Hardened Concrete

Corrosion is one of the causes of failure in reinforced concrete structures, and forming a passive film on the steel is essential for protection. Although several studies have looked at passive film formation in concrete pore solutions, few have considered its formation in hardened concrete and the...

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Main Authors: Marcella Amaral, Isaac Aguiar Oliveira, Diogo Henrique de Bem, Giovana Costa Réus, Gustavo Macioski, Marcelo Miranda Farias, Marcelo Henrique Farias de Medeiros
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Corrosion and Materials Degradation
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2624-5558/6/1/3
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author Marcella Amaral
Isaac Aguiar Oliveira
Diogo Henrique de Bem
Giovana Costa Réus
Gustavo Macioski
Marcelo Miranda Farias
Marcelo Henrique Farias de Medeiros
author_facet Marcella Amaral
Isaac Aguiar Oliveira
Diogo Henrique de Bem
Giovana Costa Réus
Gustavo Macioski
Marcelo Miranda Farias
Marcelo Henrique Farias de Medeiros
author_sort Marcella Amaral
collection DOAJ
description Corrosion is one of the causes of failure in reinforced concrete structures, and forming a passive film on the steel is essential for protection. Although several studies have looked at passive film formation in concrete pore solutions, few have considered its formation in hardened concrete and the influence of silica fume (SF) in the binder composition. This study aims to evaluate the influence of the SF content on passive film formation time in concrete. Periodic measurements assessed the electrical resistivity and corrosion current density of concrete samples containing 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% SF. The alkalinity of the mixtures and the kinetics of the pozzolanic reaction were also monitored by XRD and titration tests. The control mixtures exhibited susceptibility to corrosion, regardless of the curing age evaluated. In contrast, the partial replacement of cement with SF accelerated the formation of the passive film on the steel surface, suggesting a delayed onset of corrosion due to modifications in the physical properties of the concrete. Also, the portlandite content and pH can predict passive film formation, with SF significantly accelerating this process.
format Article
id doaj-art-1ee01147fc524c4da94e768ba8e2d25a
institution Kabale University
issn 2624-5558
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Corrosion and Materials Degradation
spelling doaj-art-1ee01147fc524c4da94e768ba8e2d25a2025-08-20T03:43:21ZengMDPI AGCorrosion and Materials Degradation2624-55582025-01-0161310.3390/cmd6010003Influence of Silica Fume (SF) Content on Passive Film Formation of Steel Reinforcement Inside Hardened ConcreteMarcella Amaral0Isaac Aguiar Oliveira1Diogo Henrique de Bem2Giovana Costa Réus3Gustavo Macioski4Marcelo Miranda Farias5Marcelo Henrique Farias de Medeiros6Center for Studies in Civil Engineering (CESEC), Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81531-980, PR, BrazilCenter for Studies in Civil Engineering (CESEC), Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81531-980, PR, BrazilCenter for Studies in Civil Engineering (CESEC), Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81531-980, PR, BrazilCenter for Studies in Civil Engineering (CESEC), Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81531-980, PR, BrazilCenter for Studies in Civil Engineering (CESEC), Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81531-980, PR, BrazilCenter for Studies in Civil Engineering (CESEC), Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81531-980, PR, BrazilCenter for Studies in Civil Engineering (CESEC), Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81531-980, PR, BrazilCorrosion is one of the causes of failure in reinforced concrete structures, and forming a passive film on the steel is essential for protection. Although several studies have looked at passive film formation in concrete pore solutions, few have considered its formation in hardened concrete and the influence of silica fume (SF) in the binder composition. This study aims to evaluate the influence of the SF content on passive film formation time in concrete. Periodic measurements assessed the electrical resistivity and corrosion current density of concrete samples containing 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% SF. The alkalinity of the mixtures and the kinetics of the pozzolanic reaction were also monitored by XRD and titration tests. The control mixtures exhibited susceptibility to corrosion, regardless of the curing age evaluated. In contrast, the partial replacement of cement with SF accelerated the formation of the passive film on the steel surface, suggesting a delayed onset of corrosion due to modifications in the physical properties of the concrete. Also, the portlandite content and pH can predict passive film formation, with SF significantly accelerating this process.https://www.mdpi.com/2624-5558/6/1/3silica fumepassive film formationcorrosion current densityelectrical resistivityportlandite content
spellingShingle Marcella Amaral
Isaac Aguiar Oliveira
Diogo Henrique de Bem
Giovana Costa Réus
Gustavo Macioski
Marcelo Miranda Farias
Marcelo Henrique Farias de Medeiros
Influence of Silica Fume (SF) Content on Passive Film Formation of Steel Reinforcement Inside Hardened Concrete
Corrosion and Materials Degradation
silica fume
passive film formation
corrosion current density
electrical resistivity
portlandite content
title Influence of Silica Fume (SF) Content on Passive Film Formation of Steel Reinforcement Inside Hardened Concrete
title_full Influence of Silica Fume (SF) Content on Passive Film Formation of Steel Reinforcement Inside Hardened Concrete
title_fullStr Influence of Silica Fume (SF) Content on Passive Film Formation of Steel Reinforcement Inside Hardened Concrete
title_full_unstemmed Influence of Silica Fume (SF) Content on Passive Film Formation of Steel Reinforcement Inside Hardened Concrete
title_short Influence of Silica Fume (SF) Content on Passive Film Formation of Steel Reinforcement Inside Hardened Concrete
title_sort influence of silica fume sf content on passive film formation of steel reinforcement inside hardened concrete
topic silica fume
passive film formation
corrosion current density
electrical resistivity
portlandite content
url https://www.mdpi.com/2624-5558/6/1/3
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