Durability of Reinforced Lightweight Mortars with Corrosion Inhibitors

The authors of this experimental work studied the performance of reinforced mortar specimens containing Greek fine-pumice aggregates together with corrosion inhibitors added to reduce the corrosion rate of steel reinforcement in a chloride environment. The durability of the specimen was assessed by measuring the corrosion potential and the mass loss time dependence of the steel rebar, the carbonation depth, the porosity, and the compressive strength of the specimens. The results were correlated to reveal that the corrosion inhibitors studied have a protective effect on the steel, while the changes of the mechanical strength of the relative lightweight mortars are not significant compared to the practical needs. Sodium nitrite was the most efficient inhibitor in both concentrations examined, that is, 2 and 5 percent.