Electrochemical Realkalisation of Carbonated Cementitious Matrix: Characterization Research to Influence of Time and Current Density

The depassivation of reinforcement caused by the reduction of concrete alkalinity due to the concrete carbonation process can induce the appearance of steel corrosion. The restoration of alkalinity can be done by chemical realkalinization (CRA) or electrochemical realkalinization (ERA) methods. In this context, the present work aims to evaluate the influence of the application time and the current density used in the electrochemical realkalinization process. For the development of the research, mortar samples were molded with a reinforced bar for electrical connection and remained for 24 months in a carbonation chamber. After this period, the carbonation depth that occurred was verified and then the specimens were submitted to the electrochemical realkalinization process using 3 different current values, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 A/m² and remained at different periods (7, 14, and 21 days) in the recovery process. Additional tests of absorption, compressive strength, carbonation depth measurements, mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were also carried out on reference, carbonated and realkalinized specimens. Based on the results of the tests, it was observed that the recovery process starts after 7 days with the lowest current density used. A better current density x application time ratio was also observed considering the results of the mercury intrusion porosimetry and thermogravimetric analysis tests in conjunction with the realkalinization process.