Reinforced concrete is one of the most common building materials for construction of facilities and structures. While concrete has high compressive strength, it has limited tensile strength.  To overcome these tensile limitations, reinforcing bars are used in the tension side of concrete structures. Steel rebar has historically been used as concrete reinforcement and performs well in structures not subjected to chloride ion attack.

However, when exposed to chemicals or chlorides, it is susceptible to oxidization with a result of the bar having a larger volume (2-5 times the diameter) than the metal bar it was originally derived from. The concrete cannot sustain the tensile load developed from this volume increase, and eventually cracks and spalls, leading to further deterioration of the steel.  The combination of ongoing deterioration and loss of reinforcement properties ultimately requires potentially significant and expensive outlays for repair and maintenance, and possibly the endangerment of the structure itself.