Concrete Admixtures: A Safe Corrosion Solution for Concrete Construction

Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials in the world due to its various advantages such as formability and durability.

Corrosion starts to affect a concrete structure’s integrity when the products of corrosion like rust occupy a greater overall volume than the original steel. This expansion then creates tensile stresses in the concrete that cause the concrete to stain, crack, and spall. By the time the signs of damage become visible externally, the extent of the corrosion of reinforcement steel has reached an advanced stage. Hence, it is important to do necessary actions to prevent corrosion from happening.

Fortunately, it can be prevented, or at least controlled through the use of different concrete admixtures in UAE.

There are some methods for controlling the corrosion of reinforced concrete and one of them is through the use of corrosion inhibitor admixtures, and waterproofing admixtures.

Corrosion-inhibiting Admixtures as Corrosion Solution

Corrosion-inhibiting admixtures are typically used to slow corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete. This type of admixture can significantly reduce maintenance costs of reinforced concrete structures throughout typical service life of 30 – 40 years. Other specialty admixtures include shrinkage-reducing admixtures, alkali-silica reactivity inhibitors and admixtures for precast concrete.

While corrosion-inhibiting admixtures have little effect on strength at later ages, it may 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.

Corrosion-inhibitors admixtures slow down the corrosion process by:

• increasing the anodic or cathodic polarization behavior
• reducing the movement of ions of the metallic surface
• increasing the electrical resistance of the metallic surface.

Waterproofing Admixtures as Corrosion Solution

With the exception of mechanical damage, all the adverse influence on durability in concrete involves the transport of fluids through the concrete. Water permeability determines the rate of deterioration. This means that if the concrete is protected against the ingress of water, the durability of the structure will increase and in the end the service life. As a result, reducing the permeability of the concrete is key.

Overall, corrosion is a natural and costly process of destruction. The use of concrete admixtures in construction cannot be emphasized enough.

Through the use of Corromix admixtures by Corrotech Construction Chemicals, you can control the corrosion in reinforced concrete by impeding the development of corrosive conditions caused by the penetration of moisture. This will give your structure increased durability, a longer lifespan and lower maintenance costs over the structure’s service life – all essentials in today’s sustainable building practices.

Corromix admixture range includes accelerator admixtures, waterproofing admixtures, admixtures for ready mix concrete and more. For complete details, visit Corrotech’s website at https://www.mctuae.com/