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Abstract. The present paper is concerned with the corroded cables used few years ago. Microstructural evolution of the investigated cables is carried out by scanning electron and optical microscopies (SEM and OM). The results obtained from the comparison between the original (as-received) and used cables show the degradation of the surface and the presence of polluting elements. The evolution of mechanical properties is studied by the microhardness technique. The results reveal a deterioration of the mechanical properties of the used cables if compared with those obtained from the original cables. The main cause of the corrosion of the conductor was atmospheric corrosion elements in the case of high aggressive species such as Cl -and SO 2 .