Admixtures are defined as the ingredients in concrete other than cement, water and aggregates that are commonly added to the mixture usually before or during mixing. Concrete chemical admixtures in concrete can be classified as Air-entraining admixtures, Water-reducing admixtures, concrete superplasticizers, accelerating admixtures, Retarding admixtures, Hydration-control admixtures, Shrinkage reducers and the corrosion inhibitors, which are the most suitable admixture for protection of steel.
Concrete Admixtures: Corrosion-Inhibitors
Corrosion inhibitors are commonly used in concrete for parking structures, marine structures, and bridges where chloride salts are always present. Therefore, this type of admixtures is used to slow corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete. Corrosion inhibitors admixtures can notably decrease maintenance costs of reinforced concrete structures throughout a normal service life of 30 - 40 years. Though these types of admixtures have a little effect on strength at later ages, they may still accelerate early strength development. Calcium nitrite based corrosion inhibitors do accelerate the setting times of concretes over a range of curing temperatures unless they are formulated with a set retarder to offset the accelerating effect.
Furthermore, Corrosion inhibitors are added to the concrete mix during the batching process. They do not significantly influence the density of concrete or impact the ingress of chlorides, but act directly on the corrosion process. They are also defined in a number of ways. Corrosion inhibitors are defined in a number of ways. On one hand either as an admixture which will extend the time before corrosion initiates, or as one which reduces the corrosion rate of the embedded steel, or both, in concrete containing chlorides.
When choosing the quality of admixtures in concrete for protection against corrosion, extra attention should be given to proper implementation, curing of concrete and shrinkage potential of the mixture, as small cracks can allow chlorides to penetrate to the reinforcing steel regardless of the density of the concrete mixture.
Corromix Admixtures
Corrotech offers a corrosion inhibitor admixture that is specifically developed for the protection of steel in concrete, the CORROTECH CI 2005. This admixture can:
● Can be added to the plasticizer additive or to water. Corrotech CI 2005 can also be used in repair mortars and grouts.
● Increase the life of all reinforced concrete structures.
● Effectively protects against corrosion. Will even migrate into the densest of concrete and to adjoining areas to protect surrounding metal elements & provides efficient protection against carbonation and attack by atmospheric gases such as CO2, SO2, Cl and so on.
● Can be used in conjunction with other admixtures.
● Can be used in foundations, ground floors, split slabs, car decks, inverted roofs, basements, underground tunnels, etc.
● Can prevent maintenance, restoration, and repair of all reinforced concrete structures, when utilizing proprietary repair mortars.
Corrotech Construction Chemicals
Corrotech, one of the best chemical manufacturers in UAE, is involved in the manufacturing of different concrete chemical admixtures for more than a decade. They are dedicatedly engaged in offering corrosion inhibiting admixtures and other types of admixtures. These products are widely acclaimed by their clients for exceptional quality. For more detailed information, visit their website at https://www.mctuae.com/