The purpose of this NACE technical committee report is to present state-of-the-art information on electrochemical chloride extraction (ECE) from conventionally reinforced concrete surfaces. Included are discussions of common industry practices used by design engineers to control corrosion of reinforcing steel in portland cement concrete structures through the application of ECE.

This report is intended for use by engineers attempting to protect corroding reinforced concrete structures by the use of electrochemical treatment techniques. The information presented in this report is limited to ECE for atmospherically exposed reinforced concrete and is not applicable to prestressed or post-tensioned elements or concrete containing epoxy-coated reinforcing steel, galvanized steel, or other coated or nonferrous reinforcement.

This report, focusing on electrochemical chloride extraction, is Part I of a two-part series. Part II is intended to focus on the realkalization of carbonated concrete structures.