Corrosion behavior of steel embedded in concrete with natural fibers

• A. Flores-Nicolás¹, M. Flores-Nicolás², E.C. Menchaca-Campos³, Y. Diaz-Blanco⁴ and J. Uruchurtu-Chavarín³

¹ Facultad de Ingeniería, Arquitectura y Diseño, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Carretera Transpeninsular Ensenada-Tijuana, 3917, Playitas, 22860, Ensenada, B.C. México
² Instituto de Ciencias Básicas e Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Carr. Pachuca - Tulancingo Km. 4.5, Carboneras, 42184 El Álamo, Hgo, México
³ Centro de Investigación en Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Cuernavaca C.P. 62209, MOR, México
⁴ Posdoc SECIHI, Centro de Investigación en Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Cuernavaca C.P. 62209, MOR, México

Abstract: Chloride ion diffusion is an important parameter in the corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete, exposed to marine conditions. This research study aims to investigate the effects of natural palm and mango fibers on reinforced concrete. Concrete cubes were manufactured and two volume fractions of fiber were tested with 0.2 and 0.4% relative to the weight of the sand and fiber dimensions of 1 cm and 3 cm in length. The samples were cured for 28 days and then submerged in a 3% sodium chloride saline solution simulating an aggressive marine environment. Electrochemical measurements were performed periodically over a period of 365 days. The corrosion rate of steel bars in reinforced concrete with different fiber contents was analyzed using the half-cell potential. electrochemical noise, linear polarization resistance, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and visual observation analysis. The results showed an initial positive effect of short mango and palm fibers in delaying the onset of corrosion in reinforced concrete compared to fiber-free control concrete. The values for short fibers (1×10⁵ Ω·cm²) are an order of magnitude higher than those for long fibers (1×10⁴ Ω·cm²), based on polarization resistance. However, during the final exposure period, the fibers showed a negligible influence on its corrosion resistance compared to fiber-free concrete. The type of corrosion present on the surface of the steel was localized with possible pitting, that is, corrosion developed in small points of the rod. The size, concentration, and type of fiber directly influence the electrochemical processes of reinforcing steel in concrete.

Keywords: natural fibers, corrosion, electrochemical techniques, concrete, steel

Int. J. Corros. Scale Inhib., 2026, 15, no. 2, 52-72
doi: 10.17675/2305-6894-2026-15-2-4

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