Smart cement-based nano-reinforced structures have improved properties and are expected to remain intact for a long time. Corrosion attack, mainly through the pores, causes reduction of properties in most materials. Nano-reinforced structural components intended to be used in the construction industry require an understanding of their corrosion resistance behavior. The present work deals with the investigation of chloride penetration mechanisms in mortars modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The tested structures were artificially corroded via salt spray fog and their surface electrical resistivity, as well as their flexural and compressive strengths were assessed. One of the main goals of the study is to evaluate the effect of nanotube concentration on the accelerated corrosion damage. It was observed that the insertion of different percentages of carbon nanotubes affects the mortar chloride penetration, as well as enhances the flexural and compressive response of the material, comparing to plain specimens, due to the filling of pores with sodium chloride. Also, the electrical resistivity of the specimens was evaluated prior and after the exposure of the mortar samples to salt spray fog.
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