CORROSION OF STEEL EMBEDDED IN CEMENT MORTAR.

Cement mortar covered steel may be subject to electrolytic corrosion, despite its alkaline reaction. The intensity of attack depends primarily on the salt contents of the mortar cover. Anodic currents developing at weak coating spots lead to precipitation of iron oxide compounds in the mortar pores. Ohmic coating resistance is thereby raised; solution potentials of the steel are lowered. The cement oxide skin thus formed controls the corrosion process; at excessive thickness the skin breaks down. Data are presented graphically and tabularly.