The kinetics of the anodic reaction has been studied in alkaline solutions and in cement mortar. Use of synthetic pore water has the advantage that environment is known and can be controlled. The anodic reactions can be studied without disturbance from the cathodic ones in deoxygenated water. Iron and steel exhibit passivation in alkaline media with a steady state passive current that is independent of potential after a days exposure. The properties of the passive film are changed by polarisation. This makes it difficult to explore the anodic kinetics. Due to the polarization induced changes of the electrodes, the polarization
resistance varies with the measuring technique. These changes also make the potential delayed in phase with respect to current and leads to a large pseudo capacitance. This explains many of the problems met various researchers in obtaining reproducible and meaningful kinetic data. Keywords: Electrochemistry, corrosion, concrete, corrosion rate, polarization, steel