Fibre corrosion in uncracked high-performance fibre reinforced cementitious composites

Abstract This paper presents an investigation on steel fibre surface corrosion from a quantitative standpoint and its influence on the mechanical behaviour of uncracked high-performance fibre reinforced cementitious composites. Short straight steel fibres were used at 90, 140 and 190 kg/m3 in three different mixtures. Prismatic specimens were subjected to 125 wetting–drying cycles in a 5% NaCl solution. Specimen and fibre surfaces were analysed using Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, while mechanical behaviour was evaluated by 3-point bending tests. Results showed the formation of corrosion spots on specimen surface, but no significant reduction on the post-cracking response.