Surface roughness characteristics of high–ductile thermo–mechanically treated steel rebar exposed to pitting corrosion and elevated temperature

Abstract

Abstract: Steel surface topography is critically impacted by pitting corrosion and elevated temperature exposure. The impacted surface topology could drastically reduce the mechanical performance of the steel, specifically concerning its fatigue behaviour. This study undertakes experimental investigations, including microstructural examinations, to explore the surface roughness characteristics of thermo–mechanically treated reinforcing bars subjected to pitting corrosion and elevated temperature. Variations in various surface roughness parameters such as amplitude, spacing, spatial and volume are reported. The study revealed that the surface roughness parameters varied significantly with increasing levels of pitting corrosion and exposure to elevated temperatures. Further, the microstructural examinations revealed the formation and growth of particles at rising temperatures that can promote initial fracture propagation at the steel sub–surface.