Corrosion Evaluation of Epoxy-Coated Bars by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Southern exposure test specimens were used to evaluate corrosion performance of epoxy-coated reinforcing bars in chloride contaminated concrete by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy method. The test specimens with conventional bars, epoxy-coated bars and corrosion inhibitors were subjected 48 weekly cycles of ponding with sodium chloride solution and drying. The polarization resistance obtained from the Nyquist plot was the key parameter to characterize the degree of reinforcement corrosion. The impedance spectra of specimens with epoxy-coated bars are mainly governed by the arc of the interfacial film and the resistance against the charge transfer through the coating is an order of magnitude higher than that of the reference steel bars. Test results show good performance of epoxy-coated bars, although the coatings had holes simulating partial damage, and the effectiveness of corrosion-inhibiting additives. The corrosion rate obtained from the impedance spectroscopy method is equivalent to those determined by the linear polarization method for estimating the rate of corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete structures.