Effect of Pre-induced Plastic Strains on the Corrosion Behavior of Reinforcing Bar in 3.5 pct NaCl Solution

Reinforcing steel bar (rebar) is subjected to various levels of strains during service in reinforced concrete (RC) construction. This work aims at understanding the effect of pre-induced plastic strains on the corrosion behavior of a reinforcing steel bar (rebar) by doing electrochemical tests (electrochemical impedance and potentiodynamic polarization) in freely aerated 3.5 pct NaCl solution and cyclic salt-fog test. The interplay between the corrosion products and the corroding tendency of the strained rebars as a function of exposure time is analyzed. The plastic strains have strong effect on the composition of the rusts and polarization resistance of the rusted rebars.