Migrating corrosion inhibitors for steel reinforcement in concrete under chloride activation: A review

• N.L. Cao¹, D.S. Shevtsov², V.C. Nguyen¹, D.A. Nguyen¹, H.Q. Le¹, V.T. Tran¹, V.T. Nguyen¹, N.H. Nguyen¹, I.D. Zartsyn² and E.S. Briyalovskaya²

¹ Coastal Branch, the Joint Vietnam-Russia Tropical Science and Technology Research Center, 30 Nguyen Thien Thuat, Nha Trang, Vietnam
² Voronezh State University, Universitetskaya pl. 1, Voronezh, 394018, Russia

Abstract: This review presents an overview of studies on migrating corrosion inhibitors (MCI) to protect reinforcing steel in concrete exposed to chlorides. Four main groups of MCI are considered: (I) inorganic MCI; (II) organic MCI, including electro-migrating corrosion inhibitors (EMCI); (III) mixed MCI (combinations of inorganic and organic components); and (IV) organic MCI containing hydrophobic additives. Inorganic MCI were among the first to be studied, but their application remains limited due to low penetration capability, interaction with the cement matrix, and potential environmental concerns. Organic MCI, especially those based on amines and amino alcohols, are well-studied and commercially available. In most cases, these MCI effectively reduce the corrosion rate in both new concrete, which had not been exposed to chlorides before treatment, and in chloride-contaminated structures. A few studies have also reported limited effectiveness. Combinations of organic and inorganic components in MCI often exhibit a synergistic effect that enhances corrosion protection. Modifying organic MCI with hydrophobic components further improves their performance by influencing the concrete cover. Overall, using MCI represents a promising and evolving approach to extending the service life of reinforced concrete structures exposed to chlorides.

Keywords: migrating corrosion inhibitor, pitting corrosion, reinforcing steel, concrete

Int. J. Corros. Scale Inhib., 2025, 14, no. 2, 469-490
doi: 10.17675/2305-6894-2025-14-2-4

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