Use of chemical corrosion inhibitors for protection of metallic fibre reinforcement in ferrocement composites

Abstract

One of the foremost factors affecting the durability of ferrocement is the corrosion of wire meshes. This problem is magnified in corrosive environments. With the passage of time, the effective strength of the wires is reduced due to a reduction in diameter and deterioration of the bond between the matrix and the reinforcement. In the present study, an attempt has been made to improve the corrosion resistance of the metallic wire meshes used in ferrocement with corrosion inhibitors. Two corrosion inhibitors, viz. Calcium Nitrite and Tannic Acid, were used. Weight loss studies and potentio-dynamic polarization tests were conducted in saline water medium. Corrosion efficiency and corrosion rate were calculated. At a 1% dose, both the inhibitors, when applied in a slurry coated form, were found to be sufficiently effective in controlling the corrosion. The effect of these corrosion inhibitors on setting time of cement, pH, and compressive strength of cement sand mortar were also observed.