Abstract

Corrosion resistance of mild steel in simulated concrete pore solution (SCPS) prepared in well water in the absence and presence of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Zn²⁺ has been evaluated by weight loss method. It was observed that when PVA is added the corrosion inhibition efficiency (IE) increases. As the concentration of PVA increases, inhibition efficiency also increases. Addition of Zn²⁺ improves of IE further. 50 ppm of PVA has 50% IE. 100 ppm of PVA shows 90% IE. When 50 ppm of Zn²⁺ was added to the above system, both system shows 94% IE. The mechanistic aspects of corrosion inhibition have been studied using AC impedance spectra. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study confirms the protection of mild steel surface by strong adsorption of PVA.

Keywords

Concrete corrosion, Simulated concrete pore solution, Mild steel, Polvinyl alcohol