The CorroWatch is a multi-probe device consisting of four black steel bars acting as anodes and a noble metal as the cathode. It is attached to the rebars with plastic strips and the anodic bars are positioned at different elevations and when concrete is cast, CorroWatch allows determination of corrosion activity as a function of cover distance. The height of the anodes may be adjusted according to the thickness of the concrete cover.

In order to predict when corrosion activity has reached the anodes, the current between the individual anodes and the cathode is measured, either with a handheld Zero Ohm Ammeter or a datalogger. When corrosion starts, the measured current increases significantly.

It can also work along with the ERE-Probe (see technical data sheet) for monitoring of the electrical potentials in the anodes.

Reinforcement corrosion monitoring.

• Monitoring of reinforcement in critical areas for corrosion such as construction joints, splash zones in marine structures, bridge decks, bottoms of bridge columns exposed to ingress of chlorides, etc.
• Monitoring of the ingress of the depassivation front, due to chloride penetration or carbonation.

Reinforcement corrosion monitoring.

• Anodes: 4 black steel bars
  • Length = 60 mm
  • Diameter = 12 mm
• Anode default heights, H: 33, 38, 43 and 48 mm  
• Cathode’s chamber:
  • External diameter = 85 mm
  • Thickness = 20 mm
• Overall weight = 500 g

Reinforcement corrosion monitoring.

Ordering Numbers:

• Technical datasheet

No standards available.

The ERE-Probe (Embeddable Reference Electrode) is a stable, long life reference manganese dioxide electrode for monitoring the half-cell potential of reinforcement in concrete structures.
In new structures, the ERE-Probe is attached to the reinforcement by plastic straps before placement of the concrete. In existing structures, a hole is drilled to the required depth and the ERE-Probe is embedded using an appropriate cementitious mortar. The probe can be used for concrete exposed to chlorides or carbonation and will not induce corrosion or change the natural potential of the steel. A high impedance voltmeter is connected to the cable and used to measure the half-cell potential between the probe and the reinforcement.

Corrosion potential monitoring.

• Monitoring of reinforcement potentials in critical areas for corrosion such as construction joints, splash zones in marine structures, bridge decks, bottoms of bridge columns exposed to ingress of chlorides, etc.
• Monitoring of efficiency of cathodic protection
• Monitoring of ingress of the depassivation front, due to chloride penetration or carbonation, in combination with installing the CorroWatch (see technical data sheet)

Corrosion potential monitoring.

• Diameter ≈ 18 mm
• Length ≈ 85 mm (without protective cap)
• Typical potential = +205 ± 20 mV measured in a saturated Ca(OH)₂ solution at 23ºC vs Ag/AgCl electrode*
• Internal resistance < 5,000 Ohm measured in a saturated Ca(OH)₂ solution at 23ºC
• Variation: ±5 mV compared with the initial value at the same temperature and same electrolyte environment
• Operating temperature: 0 to +40ºC (false readings are expected during frost but they are recovered after thawing)

• Service life > 30 years

Corrosion potential monitoring.

Ordering Numbers:

• Technical datasheet

No standards available.

The portable, handheld GalvaPulse evaluates the corrosion rate of reinforcement by measuring polarization resistance using the galvanostatic pulse technique where a current pulse is imposed on the reinforcement from a counter silver chloride reference electrode (Ag/AgCl) placed on the concrete surface.
The reinforcement is polarized in the anodic direction compared to its free corrosion potential, Ecorr. The resulting change of the electrochemical potential of the reinforcement is recorded as a function of time. The polarization resistance of the reinforcement is calculated by curve fitting of this data and by means of the Stern-Geary equation and Faraday’s law, the corrosion rate is estimated.

Corrosion rate test for reinforced concrete.

• Monitoring corrosion activity in reinforced concrete structures
• Service life estimation
• Evaluating the efficiency of corrosion arresting measures such as application of inhibitors, membranes, electrochemical removal of chlorides, concrete realkalinization, etc.
• Condition surveys of suspect reinforced structures, especially structures in wet environments where the classic half-cell potential mapping may provide misleading or insufficient information
• Measuring corrosion activity in repaired areas

Corrosion rate test for reinforced concrete.

• Reliable evaluation of reinforcement corrosion in anaerobic concrete environment
• Lightweight, handheld equipment, easy to operate
• Kit includes a calibration box and a check concrete block with embedded bars
• Easy-to-use software for reporting test results in 2D or 3D graphics
• Two operation modes:

         (1) only for half-cell potentials and electrical resistance (1 to 2 s/test)

         (2) for corrosion rate, half-cell potentials and electrical resistance (5 to 10 s/test).

• The first mode is normally used to identify the anodic and cathodic areas, while the second mode is used in anodic areas, where corrosion rate is a decisive parameter to be measured
• Suitable for testing on rough or curved surfaces
• Uses Ag/AgCl (silver / silver chloride) reference electrode
• Storage capacity: 20,000 records
• Current pulse generated: 5 to 400 mA from 1 to 20 seconds
• Pulse guard ring diameter: 70 mm

GalvaPulse-5000 Kit

Includes:

Item	Order #
Handheld computer with pulse generator	GP-5010
Calibration unit for pulse generator	GP-5020
Measuring cell with 3 meter cable	GP-5031
Sponge for measuring cell	GP-5040
Reinforcement locator	GP-5050
Reinforcement conductivity meter	GP-5060
Cable for data transfer to PC	GP-5070
Measuring cable	GP-5080
Two adjustable reinforcement clamps	GP-5090
Two reinforcement adaptors	GP-5100
12 mm and 18 mm drill bits	GP-5110
10 mm Allen key	GP-5120
Sponge for grinding of electrode rings	GP-5130
Hammer and chisel	GP-5140
Measuring tape and chalk	GP-5150
GalvaPulse software for data viewing/reporting	GP-5160
User Manual	GP-5170
Attaché case	GP-5180
Cable drum with 15 meters of cable (a)	GP-5190
Check block with embedded a corroding black steel bar and a stainless steel bar  (b)	GP-5200

• Technical datasheet
• Publications
• More documentation available upon request.

ASTM C876 – 15 Standard Test Method for Corrosion Potentials of Uncoated Reinforcing Steel in Concrete.

A powder sample is obtained from hardened concrete by drilling or grinding (Profile Grinder) or obtained from the fresh concrete. The sample is mixed with a specific amount of extraction liquid that is designed to remove disturbing ions, such as sulfide ions, and to extract the chloride ions in the sample.  After 5 minutes, a chloride ion selective electrode is submerged into the solution to determine the amount of chloride ion by means of a calibrated chart, which is expressed as percentage of concrete mass.

Two methods can be used: The RCT (Rapid Chloride Test) is used to determine the amount of acid-soluble chlorides. The RCTW (Rapid Chloride Test Water) is used to determine the amount of water-soluble chlorides.

Rapid Chloride Content Test.

The test results can be used for:

• Establishing the chloride ion profile for service life estimation
• Establishing the depth of removal of a chloride ion contaminated surface layer 
• Diagnosing a structure for corrosion activity, in combination with other test systems such the Mini Great Dane, the GalvaPulse and the Deep Purple or Rainbow Indicators 
• Monitoring the chloride ion content during electrochemical removal of chlorides 
• Measuring the chloride ion content of fresh concrete or its constituents.

Rapid Chloride Content Test.

• Input Impedance: 1,012 Ohm
• Battery Type / Life: 1 x 9V / approx. 150 hours 
• Auto-off after 20 minutes of non-use 
• Environment: 0 to 50°C; RH max 95%
• Temperature and pH measuring capacity (pH electrode and temperature probe are sold separately) 

RCT-500 Kit

Includes:

Item	Order #
RCT chloride selective electrode	RCT-770
Electrometer for mV, pH and ºC	RCT-990
Electrode wetting agent, 80 mL, with spout	RCT-1000
Distilled water, spray bottle	RCT-1001
Polishing strips for electrode	RCT-1002
Plastic bags for powder sampling	RCT-1003
Powder collecting bowl	RCT-1004
Powder collecting pan, circular	RCT-1005
Powder collecting square w. clip	RCT-1006
Adjustable pliers	RCT-1007
Set of anchoring tools	RCT-1008
Mandrel	RCT-1009
Hammer	RCT-1010
Powder compression pin	RCT-1011
Powder weighing ampoules, 6 pcs	RCT-1012
Digital pocket balance, 115 x 0.01 g	RCT-2700
Calibration liquid, 0.005 % Cl–	RCT-1013
Calibration liquid, 0.020 % Cl–	RCT-1014
Calibration liquid, 0.050 % Cl–	RCT-1015
Calibration liquid, 0.500 % Cl–	RCT-1016
Cleaning tissues	RCT-1017
Calibration sheets for hardened concrete	RCT-1018
Calibration sheets for fresh concrete	RCT-1019
Rubber ball dust remover	RCT-1020
Pencil and ruler	RCT-1021
Measuring tape	RCT-1022
Extraction vials, hardened concrete, 10 pcs	RCT-1023
Manual	RCT-1024
RCT testing cases and applications, binder	RCT-1025
Attaché case	RCT-1026

Consumables

Extraction liquids for RCT testing for acid-soluble chlorides in hardened concrete or fresh concrete:

Extraction liquids for RCTW testing for water-soluble chlorides in hardened concrete or fresh concrete:

To be ordered separately

• Range: 0.0 to 12.0 pH • Temperature: -5.0 to 70.0°C • Meter resolution: 0.01 pH • Meter accuracy: ±0.01 pH	• Range: -20.0 to 120.0°C / -4.0 to 248.0°F • Meter resolution: 0.1°C / 0.1°F • Meter accuracy: ±0.4°C / ±0.8°F

• Technical data sheet
• RCT Certificate
• Publications

• AASHTO T 260: “Standard Method of Test for Sampling and Testing for Chloride Ion in Concrete and Concrete Raw Materials”
• ASTM C114: “Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic Cement”
• ASTM C1152: Standard Test Method for Acid-Soluble Chloride in Mortar and Concrete
• ASTM C1218: Standard Test Method for Water-Soluble Chloride in Mortar and Concrete
• EN 14629: “Products and systems for protection and repair of concrete structures – Test methods – Determination of chloride content in cured concrete”

A high-performance grinding bit (18 mm in diameter) attached to a grinding machine, pulverizes the concrete into a fine powder at exact depth increments, which can be selected between 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. The grinding area is 73 mm in diameter and the maximum depth is 40 mm. 

For every depth increment of 1 mm, approximately 9 grams of powder is obtained for analysis. It takes 4 to 6 minutes to obtain each sample and about 5 minutes to determine the chloride content using the RCT Kit.

For in-situ testing, the Profile Grinder can be attached to horizontal or vertical surfaces using the anchor bolts and clamping pliers. 

Concrete sampling chloride measurements.

To obtain concrete powder samples:

• After immersion of specimens in a chloride solution in the laboratory, e.g., according to NT Build 443 “Concrete, hardened: Accelerated Chloride Penetration” or ASTM C1556-11a “Test Method for Determining the Apparent Chloride Diffusion Coefficient of Cementitious Mixtures by Bulk Diffusion” 

• Directly on-site on structures that have been exposed to chloride ion ingress.
• On cores taken from an existing concrete structure
• For chemical analysis of other potential deleterious ions or substances present in concrete 

• No-load speed: 2,500 – 8,700 rpm
• Rated input power: 950 W
• Output power: 510 W
• Thumbwheel for speed selection
• Electronic overload protection
• Electronic safety motor shutdown in case of unexpected stop
• Grinding diamond bit diameter: 18 mm
• Depth increments: 0.5 to 2.0 mm (± 2 %)
• Maximum grinding depth: 40 mm
• Grinding area: 4,185 mm2 (73 mm diameter)
• Powder sample: ≈ 9 g per each mm of grinded depth 

Profile Grinder Kit (PF-1100)

Includes:

Item	Order #
Grinder unit consisting of grinding machine, housing, handle cover with flange and counter nut, two handles and grinding diamond bit	PF-1101
Grinding support plate with green felt	PF-1102
Grinding bench plate with screws and nuts	PF-1103
Attachment ring and two bolts	PF-1104
Allen key, 4 mm	CC-25
2 adjustable clamping pliers	C-102-3
Set of anchoring tools	CC-30
2 seating rubber rings	PF-1105
Plastic bags, 50 pcs	PF-1106
Brush	PF-1107
Measuring tape	RCT-1028
14 and 17 mm wrenches	C-155/151
Sponge	PF-1108
Dust mask	PF-1109
Silicone oil bottle	L-24
Spare green felt	PF-1111
User Manual	PF-1112

To be ordered separately

• Technical datasheet

• Publications about “Rapid Chloride Test System”

More documentation is available upon request

• ASTM C1556-11a (2016): “Standard Test Method for Determining the Apparent Chloride Diffusion Coefficient of Cementitious Mixtures by Bulk Diffusion”
• AASHTO T 260: “Standard Method of Test for Sampling and Testing for Chloride Ion in Concrete and Concrete Raw Materials”
• ASTM C114-18: “Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic Cement”
• EN 14629: 2007: “Products and systems for protection and repair of concrete structures – Test methods – Determination of chloride content in cured concrete”