Cortec® Corporation is pleased to announce that Kevin Quan (MCI® Regional Sales Manager, East Coast) has been elected to two local boards of the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI). After seeing the value of membership with local chapters, Kevin has joined the leadership team on the boards for the ICRI Delaware Valley and ICRI Baltimore/Washington DC chapters.

From Sacrificial Concrete to Concrete Repair
Kevin, who has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an Executive MBA, brings a lot to the table with more than two decades in Sales and Marketing for a variety of industries. Interestingly, 15 of those years were spent promoting the “opposite” of concrete repair, as Kevin worked for a company that made sacrificial, crushable concrete pads designed to capture and save airplanes that had gone off the runway. Since joining Cortec® in 2021, his focus has shifted to the other extreme of using MCI® Technology to promote sustainability and to increase durability of concrete. This dovetails perfectly with the goal of ICRI to promote concrete restoration, and Kevin quickly recognized the value of being involved in local ICRI chapters when he became a member in September 2021. Fellow members soon noticed his strong interest and active involvement in the organization, as well, and were ready to vote him into a leadership position where he could promote that value to others.

Amplifying the Value of ICRI
Kevin’s underlying responsibility for the next three-year term will be to promote awareness of ICRI membership value to the industry while helping implement ICRI initiatives and enhancing the value of ICRI to its members. Kevin will start his term by serving on the membership committee at the ICRI Delaware Valley Chapter. He will also be co-chair of both the golf committee and the newsletter and communications committees at the Baltimore/Washington DC Chapter this year. By serving on multiple boards at once, he hopes to be able to share best practices from chapter to chapter.

Cortec® expects Kevin to be a strong contributor and collaborator in these new positions and looks forward to seeing the chapters grow under his leadership contribution. Please join Cortec® in congratulating Kevin and cheering him on in these new roles!

Learn more about the involvement of our Cortec® MCI® team in ICRI by contacting us: https://www.cortecmci.com/contact-us/

Keywords: Cortec, MCI, ICRI, concrete repair, ICRI Delaware Valley, ICRI Baltimore, concrete restoration, structural durability, value of ICRI membership

For a PDF version please click here.

We are pleased to introduce our new surface prep guide for MCI® surface applied corrosion inhibitors (SACIs)! While MCI® SACIs are a great way to extend the service life of concrete structures, success hinges heavily on proper concrete surface prep. With this in mind, our MCI® team has designed a surface prep guide to help contractors and building owners get the most out of their MCI® SACI application to mitigate rusted rebar in concrete.

What the Surface Prep Guide Has to Offer
The MCI® surface prep guideline starts with a rundown on the basics of concrete surface prep:*

1. Remove loose or cracked concrete down to sound concrete.
2. Allow 28 days (preferably) for the concrete to cure before coating.
3. Make sure the surface is clean using a suggested cleaning method.

What follows is a chart noting coverage rate, recommended surface prep, and special remarks on each SACI listed. In some cases, surface prep tips include ideal CSP (concrete surface profile) levels that can be identified based on CSP chips available from ICRI (International Concrete Repair Institute). Other remarks cover product specifics such as ideal number of coatings or surface moisture level. The guide also includes surface prep recommendations for two MCI® coatings that can be used on rebar.

How You Can Benefit from This Guide
If you apply MCI® SACIs or know someone who does, this guide is a great place to start finding surface preparation best practices at your fingertips in online or printable format. Be sure to bookmark this resource for your own use and to share with clients in need of MCI® surface prep guidance! https://www.cortecmci.com/surface-preparation-guide-for-mci-products/

Keywords: Migrating Corrosion Inhibitor, surface applied corrosion inhibitor, rusted rebar in concrete, concrete corrosion, concrete surface prep, concrete repairs, Cortec, MCI, ICRI, concrete surface profile chips

*Please note: all concrete repairs should be done in accordance with professional engineering advice.

For a PDF version please click here.

We are pleased to present a new demo video on MCI® Mini Grenades! For 20 years and counting, MCI® admixture has been available packaged in small water-soluble bags for ease of use and convenience. These MCI® Grenades can be added to concrete, repair mortar, and grout mixing water for enhanced corrosion protection. Our new video shows an up-close look at what happens when these pre-dosed pouches come in contact with mix water!

As soon as the MCI® Mini Grenade is added to water, the packaging begins to dissolve, releasing MCI®-2006 NS powder admixture. In real-life applications, the MCI® Mini Grenade contents should be well-mixed with water prior to adding cementitious components to make sure the admixture is distributed throughout the grout, mortar, or ready-mix. Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors in the admixture will form a protective molecular layer on metal surfaces to mitigate rebar rust in concrete and help even out the corrosion potential between the new patch and adjacent concrete.

Each MCI® Mini Grenade contains enough Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors to protect 0.5 ft³ (0.015 m³) of concrete. Regular MCI® Grenades and Metric MCI® Grenades work the same way but contain more admixture for larger volumes (1 grenade/yd³ and 1 grenade/m³, respectively) of concrete or repair mortar. They are ideal for repair projects but also serve as a good corrosion inhibitor backup plan for worst-case admixture scenarios in new concrete pours.

If you have wanted to see an MCI® Mini Grenade pouch dissolve before your eyes, or if you want to introduce your colleagues to the concept of easy admixture dosing and application with MCI®Grenades, this one-minute video is a great way to do so. Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=770P6AMvSMY

Keywords: Cortec, MCI, Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors, concrete admixture, concrete repair, MCI Mini Grenades, repair mortars, From Grey to Green, rebar rust, concrete corrosion

For a PDF version please click here.

Cortec® is pleased to release a new demo video on how to apply CorrVerter® MCI® to rusty rebar! The demo shows how to transform a piece of rusty rebar into a primed and passivated one, as required for good concrete repair surface prep. It is a great resource to share with engineers, contractors, and anyone involved in concrete construction or restoration.

The two-and-a-half-minute demo video covers basic steps of CorrVerter® MCI® Rust Primer application:
1. Remove loose rust with a wire brush and rinse.
2. Apply CorrVerter® at ≈9-14 mils (225-350 µm) wet film thickness (WFT).
3. Recoat 20-30 minutes later if needed.
4. Allow to cure 24 hours before placing concrete.
5. Inspect to ensure full coverage and total cure.

A highlight of the video is the time lapse that shows CorrVerter® MCI® turning from white to black as the primer dries over the course of 4-6 hours. In the process, CorrVerter® MCI® is able to passivate existing surface rust and protect against re-rusting, providing a labor-saving alternative to sandblasting for rusty rebar. The most obvious application is rusty rebar surface prep as a convenient alternative to sandblasting prior to concrete repair. However, CorrVerter® MCI® can also be used to passivate new rebar that may have rusted during outdoor storage on the jobsite.

The CorrVerter® MCI® rebar demo is a fun introduction to the workings of CorrVerter® and is a great way to familiarize workers with the application process before using CorrVerter® MCI® out in the field. Watch the demo now to see how it works! https://youtu.be/4GtnllwpdzQ

Keywords: CorrVerter, MCI, rust primer, rusty rebar, how to apply CorrVerter, concrete repair, rusty rebar surface prep, Cortec, alternative to sandblasting, CorrVerter demo

For a PDF version please click here.

Since rusty rebar is often the culprit of concrete deterioration, it must be removed or passivated before concrete repair. Otherwise, serious adhesion or re-rusting problems could cause the repair to fail. The tips below will help contractors avoid some of the pitfalls of rusty rebar and get the most out of CorrVerter® MCI® Rust Primer as a labor-saving alternative to sandblasting.

Keys to Successful Rust Passivation
Before doing any rebar rust treatment, rebar condition must be assessed and dealt with based on rust severity level. If reinforcing bars are too corroded, they may need to be replaced, but if they have enough thickness/integrity remaining, they can be sandblasted or passivated. The latter is much easier but requires attention to the following important details for best results.

1. Check the weather. If applied outdoors, CorrVerter® MCI® should only be applied when it is not raining. The temperature must be 49-90 °F (9.4-32.2 °C), and dew point should be more than 5 °F (2 °C) lower than the ambient temperature.
2. Clean the rebar surface. Use a wire brush to remove any loose rust. Then rinse the surface before coating.
3. Make sure CorrVerter® MCI® is properly mixed. The product should be stirred to a uniform consistency, usually for two to three minutes before applying.
4. Apply CorrVerter® MCI® at the recommended wet film thickness (WFT). The goal is to have 3-5 mils (75-125 µm) when dry, which means WFT should be 8.7-14.5 mils (217.3-362.3 µm). Using a WFT gauge to check the coating at the time of application is a good idea whenever possible.
5. Allow CorrVerter® MCI® to air dry 24 hours before applying the concrete patch to make sure the coating is fully cured.

Post-Application Best Practices
After allowing enough dry time, workers should inspect the CorrVerter® MCI® for the following points:
• The first thing to check for is total coverage of the rebar by the rust converting primer. Any exposed rebar should be recoated to ensure full protection.
• If possible, the dry film thickness (DFT) should be measured (3-5 mils [75-125 µm] is ideal) and any potentially thin areas where DFT could not be verified should be noted on the inspection report.
• No rust should be bleeding through the CorrVerter®; otherwise, another coat of CorrVerter® may be needed to make up for insufficient DFT.
• Workers should also look for soft or white milky areas where the coating has not cured and allow further dry time if needed (CorrVerter® MCI® should be dark brown to black when fully cured).
• Any potential problem areas should be photographed and noted in the inspection report. Capture the Benefits of CorrVerter® MCI®!

Ultimately, CorrVerter® MCI® is an extremely simple method of surface prep for rusty rebar. It eliminates the extra hassle required for sandblasting and leaves behind a passivated surface that supports good adhesion to the concrete patch material. Follow these guidelines and contact Cortec® for further help avoiding the pitfalls of rusty rebar by proper CorrVerter® MCI® application: https://www.cortecmci.com/contact-us/.

Keywords: rusty rebar, CorrVerter, MCI, alternative to sandblasting, concrete repair, Cortec, rust converting primer, surface prep for rusty rebar, good adhesion to concrete, concrete deterioration

For a PDF version please click here.

The last two years have been a supply chain roller coaster. In the concrete sector, this surfaced in numerous reports of ready-mixers facing shortages of calcium nitrite or other materials used to enhance concrete durability. The story has been different with MCI® admixtures, which continue to offer a sound and steady solution for corrosion protection and extended service life.

Calcium Nitrite Alternative
MCI® admixtures are much more than mere calcium nitrite inhibitor (CNI) alternatives. For instance, MCI®-2005 is typically easier to work with than CNI because it does not accelerate set time. It uses a fixed dosage rate and goes beyond inhibiting chloride corrosion to also protect against carbonation induced corrosion. Even better, MCI®-2005 is a USDA Certified Biobased Product and is certified to meet ANSI/NSF Standard 61 for drinking water system components.

Galvanized/Epoxy Coated Rebar Alternative
Contractors have also seen shortages of galvanized and epoxy coated rebar. Although a completely different approach to corrosion than specialty rebars, using MCI® admixtures can be a great alternative because they typically offer cost savings in addition to meeting corrosion protection and service life requirements. They also preclude corrosion concerns that arise when the protective layer on galvanized or epoxy coated rebar is chipped.

Pozzolan Alternative
Another construction material in shortage has been pozzolans such as fly ash. While one goal of pozzolans is to help meet strength requirements, the other is to meet durability criteria including protection against corrosive attack. Ready-mix suppliers can adjust various parts of the mix design (e.g., water-cement ratio) to help make up for the first concern, while MCI® admixtures can be used for the latter durability concern by inhibiting corrosion.

A Reliable Supply for Ready-Mixers
Amid the uncertainty of today’s market, MCI® admixtures have remained a strong source of corrosion protection for ready mixers and a sound alternative to other materials commonly used to extend concrete service life. Whether you find yourself facing a material shortage or simply looking for a practical/economical corrosion solution for your concrete structure, contact Cortec® Corporation to learn more about specifying MCI® as a corrosion inhibiting admixture: https://www.cortecmci.com/contact-us/

Keywords: calcium nitrite shortage, supply chain shortages, MCI admixtures, calcium nitrite alternative, epoxy coated rebar alternative, construction material shortages, corrosion protection, MCI, Cortec, extend service life

For a PDF version please click here.

Precast concrete is a high-quality building material with countless uses: for bridges, parking ramps, light poles, culverts, prefab houses, tanks, and much more. Since precast concrete is made and cured in a controlled environment, it has a low risk of corrosion vs. cast-in-place concrete. That is . . . until cracking occurs, as can often happen during transportation. Once cracks form, corrosives can enter and additional freeze-thaw cracking can occur, leading to long-term corrosion damage. Fortunately, Cortec® MCI® is an easy way to arrest corrosion and extend service life at any stage in the precast concrete lifespan.

MCI® Admixtures for New Precast Elements
Although many engineers understandably see no need to add corrosion inhibitors to the precast concrete mix, this is the best place to do so to minimize future problems when long service life is desired. Admixtures such as MCI®-2005 NS do not negatively affect the ready-mix. They introduce Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors that form a protective molecular layer on the surface of metal reinforcement, delaying time to corrosion and reducing corrosion rates once started. Precast elements that contain an MCI® admixture are already prepared to fight corrosion if cracking occurs from normal wear and tear in transit.

MCI® SACIs for Existing Precast Elements
While the use of MCI® admixtures is ideal, sometimes it is difficult to convince decision-makers that another product is needed until the problem becomes obvious. Conveniently, MCI® comes in multiple forms that can be applied even after concrete elements are cast. For example, an excellent response to finding cracks on precast bridge segments stored at the construction site is to apply an MCI® SACI (surface applied corrosion inhibitor). MCI®-2020 offers the highest concentration of Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors that penetrate into concrete and eventually make their way to the reinforcing steel. The addition of a water repellent helps seal the MCI® in and corrosives out. Another option is to apply a twoin-one MCI® water repellent such as MCI®-2018. This SACI combines Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors with a 100% silane water repellent that guards against the intrusion of water, chlorides, and carbonation. 

MCI® for Precast Concrete Repair
Sometimes, corrosion has already gone so far that precast concrete elements must be repaired. MCI® Technical Sales and Product Manager, Ash Hasania, found this to be the case when he encountered a client with deteriorating concrete light poles that were more vulnerable to corrosion because of old, poor quality concrete cast in a slender design. MCI®-2023 was used to re-passivate rusted rebars. MCI® Mini Grenades were added to the ready-mix for the new concrete patches. Once the concrete cured, surfaces were treated with MCI®-2020 and MCI®-2018 for additional corrosion protection. Going forward, the customer began adding MCI®– 2005 to the light poles during casting.

Precast and Prevent with MCI®
Precast concrete is everywhere: along the road, under the ground, and sometimes even at home. In spite of the quality advantages of precast concrete vs. cast-in-place concrete, prefab elements still face corrosion risks as a result of cracking and other issues. MCI® offers a simple solution to extend the service life of precast concrete early or late in the process.

Contact Cortec® MCI® to learn more about fortifying your precast concrete structures with Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors: https://www.cortecmci.
com/contact-us/

Keywords: precast concrete lifespan, precast concrete vs cast in place, extend service life of concrete, MCI, Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors, From Grey to Green, Cortec, how precast concrete is made, admixtures, rebar corrosion in concrete

For a PDF version please click here.

Calling all MCI® reps and distributors!!! It is that time of year again!

With construction season winding down and January fast approaching, it is not too early to start planning your visit to the World of Concrete 2023! Here are + four not-to-miss opportunities for Cortec® MCI® reps and distributors next January 16th-19th in Las Vegas:

1. Take advantage of one-on-one time with your Cortec® MCI® rep (contact your rep to secure a time slot now).
2. Grow your concrete repair network and have fun at the Monday night ICRI kick-off event.
3. Catch up, connect, and be inspired at our MCI® rep meeting (ask about MCI® repair mortar updates and testing).
4. Enjoy our invitation-only fun activity for MCI® reps and distributors!

You are also welcome to simply hang out with the MCI® team at Booth #S10856 during exhibit hours Tuesday through Thursday (January 17th-19th), or explore the grounds to check out the wealth of educational resources and networking opportunities at your fingertips during the only annual international event dedicated to commercial concrete and masonry industries!

Contact your rep today to schedule a one-on-one: https://www.cortecmci.com/contact-us/

Get registered with ICRI promo code A36: https://www.compusystems.com/servlet/ar?evt_uid=130&promocode=A36

World of Concrete 2023
January 17th– 19th, 2023 (Exhibits)
Las Vegas Convention Center
Las Vegas, NV
Booth # S10856
www.worldofconcrete.com

Keywords: WOC2023, World of Concrete, Cortec MCI, reasons to attend WOC, ICRI, From Grey to Green, construction industry, MCI repair mortars, concrete repair

For a PDF version please click here.

Convention, November 7th-9th in Atlanta, Georgia. This outstanding networking venue brought together a wide range of attendees—from students curious about how MCI® works to engineers looking for answers on specific projects. One common question asked at the booth was whether MCI® surface applied corrosion inhibitors (SACIs) could compensate in repairs where corrosion inhibitors had not been added to the ready-mix due to an oversight. Another engineer looking for help on a specific project has already been working to specifying MCI®– 2020 after a discussion with Ash Hasania (MCI® Technical Sales & Product Manager).

Not all time was spent at the booth, as Jessi Meyer, Ash Hasania, Kevin Quan, and Lisa Marston played an important role in committee meetings— sometimes as observers, sometimes as full committee members. Ash was a delegate to the ICRI chapters meeting, which shared many interesting ideas to encourage future chapter growth. We were also represented at the “Women in ICRI,” “Life Cycle and Sustainability,” and “Corrosion” committee meetings. Technical sessions gave MCI® team members another chance to build their understanding of everything from repair assessments after catastrophic events to mid-century modernist concrete façade repairs. An awards luncheon topped off the educational aspect with great case histories on award-winning repair projects!

The convention was not complete without some time to unwind and build relationships in a recreational setting. Highlights included clay shooting, a dinner social, and even a cornhole tournament. All in all, it was a great time to learn and collaborate with key players in the industry. Special thanks to those of you who stopped by our booth! If you missed us or have further questions, contact us here: https://www.cortecmci.com/contact-us

Keywords: how MCI works, surface applied corrosion inhibitors, SACI, MCI-2020, ICRI Fall Convention, From Grey to Green, concrete façade repairs, concrete repair, Cortec, MCI

For a PDF version please click here.