On the intrinsic passivating ability of Belite-Ye’elimite-Ferrite towards carbon steel: A straightforward comparison with ordinary Portland cement

Abstract The quest for low-CO 2 emission alternatives to Portland cement is pushing the cement industry to develop new types of binders. Besides the need of equivalent mechanical properties, a major issue concerns the passivating ability of these new materials. Belite-Ye’elimite-Ferrite binders (BYF) are attracting increasing interest of cement developers, but there are still doubts about their intrinsic protectiveness. Carbon steel passivation in BYF leachates was studied and compared to OPC leachates through electrochemical techniques and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In both media, steel was highly passivated in less than 24 h, protected by a ca 5 nm thickness film.