Corrosion Resistance and Bond Strength of Silica Particle Modified Enamel Coated Smooth and Deformed Steel Bars

Abstract

Both the corrosion resistance and bond strength of silica particle-modified enamel (SPME)-coated steel bars are experimentally investigated, and uncoated and pure enamel (PE)-coated bars are also prepared for comparison. The microstructure of SPME coating is analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the corrosion performance in simulated concrete pore solutions is assessed by using a series of electrochemical techniques. Pull-out tests were conducted to obtain the bond behavior with concrete. SEM images show that silica particles are completely embedded in the enamel matrix. The corrosion resistance of SPME-coated smooth and deformed steel bars is 68 and 28 times lower, respectively, than that of the uncoated bars. The bond strength, bond stiffness, bond ductility, and bond toughness of SPME-coated smooth steel bars are 4.33, 4.61, 35.86, and 20.66 times greater than those of the uncoated bars, while they are 1.29, 4.72, 2.21, and 1.24 times greater than those of the uncoated ones for the deformed steel bars. SPME-coated steel bars can be used to enhance the seismic performance of reinforced concrete structures in earthquake-prone zones, while also improving corrosion resistance.