Identification of Commercially Available Metals that Have Potential as Low-Cost Corrosion Resistant Concrete Reinforcement

A literature review has been conducted with the goal of identifying alternative low-cost corrosion resistant reinforcement materials compared to epoxycoated reinforcing steel. The new materials are evaluated on the basis of material attributes that are expected to improve initiation and propagation corrosion characteristics including an assessment of the impact of mill scale. Moreover, strength, ductility as well as low cycle fatigue behavior are considered where possible with endurance limit scaled to tensile strength. First, material characteristics that should contribute to improved initiation, propagation resistance, and oxide wedging damage mechanisms will be reviewed. Then, based on the literature survey, the individual materials are assessed and summarized. The most promising alternate reinforcing materials seen to date that are less expensive than 300 series stainless steels include low-Ni austentitic stainless steels, and a variety of ferritic or martensitic 12-15 wt. % Cr steels. Low Ni austentitic stainless steels and other 12-15% Cr steels will likely have inferior corrosion resistance compared to traditional 300 series stainless steels but may be significantly improved over traditional epoxy-coated rebar. It is recommended that a 200 series stainless steel and 12-15% martensitic or ferritic steel be considered for further investigation as reinforcing material in concrete.