XCell™ | Half-Cell Corrosion Mapping

Giatec XCell™ can be used for efficient and accurate corrosion mapping according to the ASTM C876, “Standard Test Method for Half-Cell Potentials of Uncoated Reinforcing Steel in Concrete”. The results are analyzed using the Android-based application onsite for the identification of locations with high probability of corrosion.

• Single-person operation device
• Maintenance-free electrode
• Tablet/Smart-phone operation device
• Upside down operation capability
• Easy grid generation (on Tablet or Smartphone)
• Fast data assignment to grid points
• Real-time contour plotting
• Automated temperature correction
• Easy data sharing
• Wireless V4.0 LE technology

• ASTM C876 Standard Test Method for Half-Cell Potentials of Uncoated Reinforcing Steel in Concrete.
• RILEM TC 154
• UNI 10174
• DGZfP B3
• SIA 2006
• BS 1881, Part 201

General

Type	Value
Voltage Measurement Range	± 1,000 mV
Measurement Resolution	0.1 mV
Sampling Rate	1 s
Input Impedance	>10 M ohm
Temperature Measurement Range	-10 ~ 50 °C
Temperature Measurement Accuracy	0.5 °C
Communication Protocol	Wireless V4.0 LE
Probe Weight	250 gr

Operating conditions

Type	Value
Operating temperature	0 ~ 45 °C
Operating humidity	20 ~ 90%
Storage temperature	-20 ~ 70°C
Storage humidity	10 ~ 90%
Dimensions of XCell™ Probe	32 mm x 260 mm (D x L)

Part No.	Item	Description
900096	XCell™ Lite Package (Smartphone operation device)	XCell™ Probe, Data recording app. for Android Smartphone (Downloadable from Google Play) Alligator test clip, Test cable, Charging cable (Smartphone is not included)
900078	XCell™ Essential Package (Smartphone operation device)	XCell™ Probe, Data recording app. for Android Smartphone, Alligator test clips (2 types), Test cable, Charging cable, 3 pieces of contact sponge, Electrode storage solution, User manual, USB charger, Carrying case (Smartphone is not included)
900079	XCell™ Enhanced Package (Tablet operation device)	XCell™ Probe, Tablet with hands-free carrying support, Data analysis app., Alligator test clips (2 types), Test cable, Charging Cable, Tablet USB cable, USB charger, Extension arm, 3 pieces of contact sponge, Electrode storage solution, User manual, Carrying case (Tablet is included).
900080	XCell™ Comprehensive Package (Tablet operation device)	XCell™ Probe, Tablet with hands-free carrying support Test cable, Data analysis app., Alligator test clips (2 types), Test cable, Charging Cable, Tablet USB cable, USB charger, Extension arm, 3 pieces of contact sponge, Electrode storage solution, Verification probe, Extension reel, User manual, Carrying case (Tablet is included).

The following replacement parts and accessories are available upon request:

Part No.	Item	Description
900058	Ruggedized Tablet with Hands-free Carrying Support
700028	XCell™ Data Analysis Application
900059	Extension Arm
100422	Extension Reel
100416	Wallmount USB Charger
900077	Verification Probe
900055	Electrode Storage Solution
900076	XCell™ Probe
900075	XCell™ Charging Cable
900074	XCell™ Measurement Cable

Q1: Could the Android application be installed on other Android devices?
A: Yes. However, the user requires a product key to activate the Android application. The product key is unique number that is provided with the XCell™ sensor. Moreover, the Android device should have wireless 4.0 LE connectivity.

Q2: Does the half-cell electrode need to be calibrated?
A: A verification kit is available to purchase with the XCell™ package. It is recommended to verify the device using this reference electrode before conducting a corrosion mapping project. In case the XCell™ readings are not in range, the device has to be calibrated by our technical support team.

Q3: Does XCell™ requires a hard wire connection to steel rebar during testing ?
A: Yes, according to the half-cell test standard, a hard-wire connection to the steel rebar is required.

Q4: Can XCell™ develop corrosion mapping for non-flat surface?
A: Corrosion map can be developed for a non-flat surface as the measurements are single points. But, it should be noted that delaminated surfaces cannot be tested since there is no physical contact between the concrete and rebar.

Q5: What is the type of electrode used in XCell?
A: The XCell™ probe utilizes a mercury/mercury (I) chloride electrode in saturated KCl solution. Unlike the conventional copper-copper sulfate electrodes, the XCell™ electrode does not need changing the electrode solution. The electrochemical potential values measured by XCell™ are, however, shown based on the Cu/CuSO4 electrode according to the ASTM C876 specifications which state in section 5.1.1.3 that:
"Other reference electrodes having similar measurement range, accuracy, and precision characteristics to the copper-copper sulfate electrode may also be used. Calomel reference electrodes have been used in laboratory studies. For concrete submerged in seawater, using silver-silver chloride reference electrodes avoids chloride contamination problems that may occur with copper-copper sulfate electrodes. Silver/silver chloride/potassium chloride reference electrodes are also applied to atmospherically exposed concrete. Potentials measured by reference electrodes other than saturated copper-copper sulfate should be converted to the copper-copper sulfate equivalent potential. The conversion technique can be found in Practice G3 and “Reference Electrodes, Theory and Practice” by Ives and Janz."

Q6: How do I choose among the three XCell packages?
A: All three packages utilize the advanced maintenance-free electrode that has wireless connectivity. They are packaged with the other parts e.g. cables, charger, etc. in a hard carrying case. The main difference between these packages is as follows: 1. Essential package does not come with any processing unit. The customer needs to download the Giatec XCell smart-phone application (free of charge) and install it on their android system (with wireless 4.0 connectivity). The smart-phone application communicates with the XCell probe and records the data (electrochemical potential and temperature) sequentially. The user needs to process the data later. 2. The Enhanced and Comprehensive packages both come with a ruggedized tablet with neck carrying support, and an extension arm. The tablet is pre-installed with the XCell tablet application which is capable of creating grids for data assignment to grid points as well as real-time corrosion map generation. The corrosion contour maps can be exported and shared in different formats. 3. The Comprehensive package, additionally, has extension reel and verification kit. The verification kit can be used from time to time to ensure the proper functionality of the XCell probe.

1. ASTM Standard C876-09 (2009). Standard Test Method for Half-Cell Potentials of Uncoated Reinforcing Steel in Concrete, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, www.astm.org.
2. Elsener, B. (2001). Half-cell potential mapping to assess repair work on RC structures. Construction and Building Materials, 15(2-3), 133-139.
3. Elsener, B., Andrade, C., Gulikers, J., Polder, R., & Raupach, M. (2003). Hall-cell potential measurements—Potential mapping on reinforced concrete structures. Materials and Structures, 36(7), 461-471.
4. Elsener, B., & Bohni, H. (1988). Potential Mapping and Corrosion of Steel in Concrete. Corrosion Rates of Steel in Concrete, 143-156.
5. Elsener, B., & Böhni, H. (1995). Condition evaluation of reinforced concrete bridges–The benefits of potential mapping. Proc. 6th Int. Conf. Structural Faults Repair, London, 47-52.
6. Gu, P., & Beaudoin, J. J. (1998). Obtaining Effective Half-Cell Potential Measurements in Reinforced Concrete Structures. Institute for Research in Construction: Construction Technology Update, 18(4).
7. RILEM TC 154-EMC. (2003). Half-cell Potential Measurements – Potential Mapping on Reinforced Concrete Structures. Materials and Structural Journal, 36(7), 461-471.