Reinforced Concrete (RC) is a major construction material used for many structures involved in
the disposal of radioactive waste materials generated by the nuclear fuel cycle. These structures are
required to function safely for long periods of time and the assessment of the corrosion magnitude is a
key factor in predicting their service life. The present experience with RC is much shorter than the
expected life of the fuel cycle-related facilities (i.e. about, 100 versus the required 300 or more years)
then, additional input is required to ensure that these structures will continue to meet their design
requirements throughout their operational life. This paper presents a study on the corrosion products
formed on reinforced bars in some old RC structures found in Argentina. A study of this kind is
necessary to improve knowledge on the long-term corrosion behavior of steels that could be used to
build the intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal facilities. The type of corrosion products formed
under urban environmental conditions was studied with different analytical methods like optical and
electronic microscopes, energy dispersion X-Rays analysis, X-Rays diffraction analysis and Mössbauer
spectroscopy. Moreover, a correlation between corrosion rate and environmental condition was also
analyzed.
Keywords: concrete, steel, corrosion products, iron oxides, rebars