Half cell potential survey mapping

Reinforced concrete can be subjected to corrosion processes that can lead to damage and failure. An accurate half-cell potential survey can assist to detect corrosion in reinforcement. Corrosion of steel in concrete is an electrochemical process. A potential field can be measured on the concrete surface by the use of an electrode, known as a half-cell and a high-impedance voltmeter.

We use the The Canin + Corrosion Analysing Instrument. The Canin+ is reported as the fastest instrument for corrosion analysis, offering a practical, cost-effective approach to the investigation of reinforced concrete. Corrosion analysis with the Canin+ allows a rapid, comprehensive test of the site and provides a fast assessment of locations where corrosion is likely to take place. Corrosion analysis with the half-cell potential method can produce accurate field potential measurements, which aid in the detection of active corrosion of reinforcement.

When reinforcement steel comes into contact with the highly alkaline water solution in the pores of the concrete, a passive film of hydrated iron oxide with a thickness of a few atomic layers is created on the steel surface. This protects the reinforcement from corrosion. This passive film is decomposed due to the reaction of the concrete with atmospheric carbon dioxide (carbonation), or by the penetration of substances aggressive to steel, in particular chlorides from de-icing salt or salt water. The chemical reaction creates an anode at the point where corrosion is taking place and a cathode where there is no rust. The potential difference between a corroding reinforcement area (anode) and a passive reinforcement (cathode) can be detected by means of potential field measurements, allowing the position where active corrosion is taking place to be localised.