Concrete Carbonation and Steel Corrosion

Concrete carbonation begins when atmospheric carbon dioxide enters the pores of concrete. If moisture is present, the gas forms carbonic acid. That acid reacts with calcium hydroxide in hydrated cement and produces calcium carbonate.

This reaction causes carbonation shrinkage, which means the con...

In the presence of moisture, atmospheric carbon dioxide entering the concrete surface transforms into carbonic acid, which chemically reacts with the calcium hydroxide in the hydrated cement to form calcium carbonate and water.

The calcium carbonate produced during the reaction deposits in the concrete pores, while the released water aids...