Influencia de la corrosión en las propiedades mecánicas del acero

Influence of corrosion on the mechanical properties of steel

In this paper an experimental investigation of the effect of corrosion on the mechanical properties of steel is presented. Tensile tests were carried out on deformed reinforcing bars previously subjected to accelerated corrosion. To this end, a direct current of a 1 mA/cm² density was impressed on the rebars inmersed in a medium which reproduced, to a certain, the aggressive environment of carbonated or chloride-contaminated concrete. These tests allowed the study of the following parameters, depending on the corrosion level: yield stress Fsy, tensile strength Fsu and elongation at maximum load Esu. Results indicate that corrosion affects ductility of steel, decreasing bar elongation at maximum load.