Abstract
MgO-SiO2 binders are a promising alternative to Portland cement (PC) offering comparable strength performance to the conventional PC concrete. However, their application in reinforced concrete has been limited due to the inherently low pH of these binders. This study investigated the mechanical, microstructural, and corrosion performance of MgO-SiO2 binder concrete after carbonation. MgO-SiO2 concrete samples were subjected to 14 days of carbonation and subsequently tested after one year. The degree of carbonation was evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis while corrosion assessment was done using Wenner four-probe resistivity meter, half-cell potential and a handled device called Rapicor. The results showed that MgO-SiO2 binder gained a comparable strength to PC after carbonation. Despite exhibiting a lower carbonation degree, higher pore refinement was attained in MgO-SiO2 binder as compared to PC suggested by the surface resistivity assessments. Additionally, a significant reduction in corrosion rate was observed due to the refined pore structure after carbonation. Overall, the findings suggested that carbonation of concrete cover can have beneficial effect on the corrosion performance of MgO-SiO2 binders.
Keywords
MgO-SiO2 binder, carbonation, corrosion, durability, alternative binders.
DOI
10.5703/1288284318123
Recommended Citation
Bharati; Engelberg, Dirk; and Unluer, Cise, "Effect of Carbonation on Rebar Corrosion in MgO-SiO2 Binder Concrete" (2025). International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures. 12.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/icdcs/2025/ddm/12
Effect of Carbonation on Rebar Corrosion in MgO-SiO2 Binder Concrete
MgO-SiO2 binders are a promising alternative to Portland cement (PC) offering comparable strength performance to the conventional PC concrete. However, their application in reinforced concrete has been limited due to the inherently low pH of these binders. This study investigated the mechanical, microstructural, and corrosion performance of MgO-SiO2 binder concrete after carbonation. MgO-SiO2 concrete samples were subjected to 14 days of carbonation and subsequently tested after one year. The degree of carbonation was evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis while corrosion assessment was done using Wenner four-probe resistivity meter, half-cell potential and a handled device called Rapicor. The results showed that MgO-SiO2 binder gained a comparable strength to PC after carbonation. Despite exhibiting a lower carbonation degree, higher pore refinement was attained in MgO-SiO2 binder as compared to PC suggested by the surface resistivity assessments. Additionally, a significant reduction in corrosion rate was observed due to the refined pore structure after carbonation. Overall, the findings suggested that carbonation of concrete cover can have beneficial effect on the corrosion performance of MgO-SiO2 binders.
