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Engineering Insights·6 min read·Published: Apr 02, 2026

What Happens to Steel Inside Concrete After 10–20 Years?

Concrete exhibits high alkaline properties with a pH value around 12 to 13. This high-alkaline environment creates a microscopic passive film of ferric oxide on the rebar, shielding it from rust.

Over decades, atmospheric carbon dioxide diffuses into the concrete, slowly lowering its pH value closer to neutral. Once this carbonated layer reaches the steel surface, the passive film dissolves, making high-purity steel essential to avoid rapid degradation.

This highlights why high-quality, dense concrete paired with low-impurity, premium TMT rebars is absolutely essential for structures designed to last

Quality Safety Shield Recommendation

Specifying FE 500D Grade For High Ductility

Most soil shifting in Nepal occurs along active faultlines. Safeguard your family homes and projects with Laxmi's premium certified steel, engineered to bend without structural collapse risk.

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