Application of harmonic analysis in measuring the corrosion rate of rebar in concrete

The corrosion rate (CR) of rebar embedded in cement mortar, concrete and cement extract is determined using harmonic analysis technique (HA). Simultaneously using other electrochemical techniques such as impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Tafel extrapolation (TET), the CR was determined and compared with the weight loss method. CR obtained from HA is comparable to that of EIS provided that the Stern-Geary constant (B value) obtained from HA is used in the calculation. In concrete, comparable corrosion rates are obtained between TET and HA only under active condition of the rebar whereas under passive state, the corrosion current (i(corr)) by TET is 10 times lower than that of HA. A good agreement is obtained between the HA and weight loss method. The outcome of the result suggests that HA is capable of providing a higher degree of accuracy than that of EIS and TET in the determination Of i(corr) in the medium like rebar in concrete having very low rate of corrosion. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.