Development of a magnetic corrosion probe for nondestructive evaluation of concrete against corrosion of reinforcing bar

A new magnetic corrosion probe has been developed for nondestructive evaluation of concrete against corrosion of reinforcing bar. Two types of probes, a thin iron wire (probe A) and an iron-plated copper bar (probe B) were tested whether their changes in residual magnetization with progress of corrosion of iron could be detected using a superconducting interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. The preliminary tests carried out under an atmospheric condition showed that the residual magnetization became less intensive with progress of corrosion for both probes. Then the two types of probes were embedded in mortar for an accelerated corrosion test. The results showed that probe A scarcely corroded in mortar despite that reinforcing bar suffered from corrosion under the identical condition. The probe B corroded as reinforcing bar did, resulting in a sharp decrease in the residual magnetization. Thus, the probe of type B embedded in mortar can give a magnetic warning against degradation of surroundings regarding the corrosion of reinforcing bar.