Overview
ISO/PAS 5929:2025 - "Corrosion of metals and alloys - Test and evaluation method for the corrosion of steel bar embedded in concrete structure exposed to total corrosion zones in marine environments" - is a publicly available specification that defines a unified laboratory method to simulate and evaluate chloride-induced corrosion of steel reinforcement in reinforced concrete spanning all marine exposure zones (atmospheric, splash, tidal, immersion and buried). The document details required apparatus, test materials, specimen preparation, procedures, measurements, evaluation methods and reporting. Annex A provides example test apparatus; Annex B shows example results.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and purpose: Controlled simulation of multi-zone marine exposure to reproduce realistic vertical and horizontal chloride migration along steel bars in concrete.
- Apparatus: Specifications for a simulated marine environmental chamber and an environmental parameter control chamber, plus dedicated devices for atmospheric (spray), splash, tidal, immersion and buried zones. Test cells require monitoring of temperature, humidity, salt spray concentration, solution chloride concentration, pH and liquid level.
- Materials & specimens: Requirements for steel reinforcement, concrete mixes, industrial salt and water, including guidance on chloride concentration and salt solution temperature.
- Specimen preparation: Procedures for rust removal, concrete casting, and positioning of reinforced specimens to represent multiple corrosion zones.
- Test procedure & maintenance: Placement, environmental control, monitoring and maintenance steps for long-term or accelerated testing.
- Measurements: Initial and periodic measurements including mechanical properties, chemical composition, dimensions, mass, concrete strength and chloride ion concentration; recommended use of 3D scanning for non‑destructive 3D corrosion mapping.
- Evaluation & reporting: Methods to record results, assess corrosion distribution and produce standardized test reports for comparison and decision-making.
Applications and users
This standard is intended for:
- Corrosion and materials engineers performing durability testing of reinforced concrete components.
- Testing laboratories developing accelerated marine exposure tests and comparing materials.
- Bridge, port, pier and coastal infrastructure designers and asset owners seeking reliable service-life and repair strategy data.
- Researchers and product developers evaluating concrete mixes, corrosion protection measures, coatings or alternative reinforcement.
Practical benefits include improved material selection, accurate chloride ingress mapping, cost-effective protection/repair strategies, and avoidance of overdesign.
Related standards
Relevant cross-references in ISO/PAS 5929:2025 include:
- ISO 21062 - Determination of corrosion rates of embedded steel reinforcement in simulated marine environments
- ISO 8044 - Vocabulary on corrosion of metals and alloys
- ISO 1920‑4 - Testing of concrete - Strength of hardened concrete
Other referenced standards cover reinforcement bars, concrete specification and corrosion-product removal.
Keywords: ISO/PAS 5929:2025, corrosion testing, steel reinforcement, reinforced concrete, marine environments, chloride-induced corrosion, simulated marine environmental chamber, tidal zone, splash zone, 3D scanning, test apparatus.