We are pleased to introduce Mike Bosman as our new MCI^® Regional Sales Manager for the Midwest! Mike started on October 10th and fills a huge need for MCI^® support in the states of Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado. We look forward to having him become a dynamic part of our MCI^® team!

Mike will be educating contractors, distributors, specifying engineers, and other potential customers about what our MCI^® portfolio has to offer them and how those materials will fit best into their existing processes. His goal is to become an expert resource for his clients and to eventually be able to contribute new ideas to the world of reinforced concrete corrosion protection.

Although working with concrete is new to Mike, the topic of corrosion is not, as corrosion mitigation was one of the top five priorities he addressed while working with 3M in the defense market for adhesives and coatings. While there, he received his share of exposure to material testing and approval processes, frequently heading up accelerated underwater corrosion testing on a variety of materials.

Now, as he shifts his focus to a new substrate, Mike is quickly becoming familiar with the characteristics of concrete and is on track to become an outstanding liaison between Cortec^® and MCI^® users. Join us in welcoming Mike to the team, and don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to him!

Mike Bosman
MCI^® Regional Sales Manager, Midwest
Phone: 651-350-9536
Email: [email protected]

Keywords: Cortec, MCI, concrete, MCI regional sales manager, Mike Bosman, corrosion protection, rusted rebar in concrete, corrosion testing, concrete longevity, concrete admixtures

For a PDF version please click here.

The ICRI Fall Convention in St. Pete Beach, Florida, was yet another great time to connect with the concrete repair industry and introduce a record number of new attendees to the world of both MCI^® and ICRI (International Concrete Repair Institute)! Jessi Meyer (VP of Technical and Product Sales) and Kevin Quan (MCI^® Regional Sales Manager) represented Cortec^® at the October 16^th-18^th event and welcomed a steady stream of both new and familiar faces to the Cortec^® MCI^® booth!

Many attendees expressed interest in the prominent case studies displayed at the MCI^® booth, as well as the steel wool demo bottles demonstrating the effectiveness of MCI^® by highlighting the difference between unprotected steel wool in water vs. steel wool in water protected with MCI^®. They also enjoyed convention WiFi courtesy of Cortec^®!

In addition to the main focus of connecting with new attendees, Kevin attended the corrosion committee meeting to get updates on progress on committee initiatives for Ash Hasania (MCI^® Technical Sales & Market Manager), who is a committee member but was not able to attend. Kevin also spent time with other members of the ICRI Delaware Valley Chapter (who made a good showing at the event with 10 members present), and Jessi enjoyed seeing ICRI colleagues from Minnesota!

Thanks to those of you who stopped by our booth and took time to have an in-depth conversation or simply say “hello.” We look forward to continuing our topics of concrete discussion at future ICRI events if not sooner. Don’t hesitate to contact us with your MCI^® questions!

Keywords: ICRI Fall Convention, Cortec, MCI, concrete repair, rusted rebar in concrete, ICRI Delaware Valley Chapter, ICRI Minnesota Chapter, corrosion committee

For a PDF version please click here.

Auto repair shops are notorious for having dirty, greasy floors stained by frequent automotive fluid leaks and spills. Cleaning these petroleum-based stains is often a difficult to impossible job that sometimes requires blasting for enough stain removal power. Cortec^® offers a simpler solution that relies on “green” chemistry to chase after the oily residues on the garage floor, at gas stations, or in parking lots.

Cortec^® MCI^®-2061 is a biological-based cleaner/degreaser formulated for cleaning concrete, asphalt, and other hard surfaces. It combines powerful cleaning chemistry with microorganisms capable of biodegrading hydrocarbons that stain concrete and other hard surfaces. In simple terms, biodegradable surfactants (specially suited to hydrocarbon cleaning) loosen and disperse hydrocarbons, making them more available to microbes that eat them. The main benefits are as follows:

1. The microbes of MCI^®-2061 populate the substrate and provide residual deep cleaning action as they chase the oil stain through the pores.
2. MCI^®-2061 biochemistry is friendly to floors and does not corrode or destroy them.

Application of MCI^®-2061 is easy. After diluting MCI^®-2061 in water at a 1:10 ratio (for heavily soiled surfaces), users simply spray or pour the bio-detergent onto the soiled surface and work it into the concrete pores using a broom. The solution should be left for up to an hour (or overnight if necessary) before rinsing it away, allowing time for the microbial spores to germinate and start digesting the oil to supplement the initial cleaning action. Microorganisms that remain behind after the water rinse continue digesting hydrocarbon residuals on the driveway or shop floor. Furthermore, microorganisms that are rinsed downstream into drain lines, sewer systems, or grease traps can help accelerate biodegradation of the waste.

Thanks to MCI^®-2061, cleaning oil stains off the repair shop floor or driveway no longer has to be a difficult task that is put off indefinitely. A weekly, monthly, or even quarterly cleaning with MCI^®-2061 can take care of unsightly stains and improve the overall auto shop atmosphere without requiring harsh chemicals or solvents. Contact us to learn more about our biological concrete cleaners!

Keywords: oil eating microbes, bio-detergent, green cleaners, green chemistry, how to clean auto repair shop floors, MCI, Cortec, cleaning grease stains, how to remove oil stains from your driveway, concrete cleaners

For a PDF version please click here.

We are pleased to announce that Ash Hasania has been elected to the board of the ICRI Michigan Chapter! As our MCI^® Technical Sales & Market Manager, Ash has been heavily involved in attending and presenting at chapter events over the last few years, prompting ICRI Michigan to ask Ash to consider joining the board. Ash was officially voted into office November 9^th at the “ICRI Michigan Chapter’s Annual Dinner Meeting,” and we look forward to seeing many positive results!

Ash will start his term as a board member “at large,” helping plan and oversee chapter activities and casting his ballot on issues that come up for voting. This role will bring Ash into even more contact with chapter members who are engineers and influencers, providing more opportunities for Ash to educate the construction industry on the benefits of using corrosion inhibitors in concrete. Ash is also expected to be a great asset to ICRI Michigan as a liaison between the local chapter and ICRI national through his attendance at events on both levels. He looks forward to growing professionally as he takes on many new responsibilities.

We are proud to have such dedicated and knowledgeable individuals bringing MCI^® Technology to the grassroots and adding value to their local chapters. ICRI membership is a great way for anyone to learn more and get better connected with the industry, and we encourage all our MCI^® distributors to consider getting more involved by joining their local chapter!

Keywords: ICRI Michigan, MCI, concrete repair, Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors, construction industry, International Concrete Repair Institute, Cortec, corrosion inhibitors in concrete, rusted rebar in concrete, From Grey to Green

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Cleanup can be a tough part of any concrete job. Even though the most stressful part of concrete placement is over, one of the next difficult tasks at hand is figuring out how to remove concrete residue that has dried or hardened on equipment and structures. MCI^® Super Remover offers a powerful solution to this sometimes seemingly impossible chore.

Why Remove Hardened Concrete?

Cleanup is an important part of equipment maintenance. Hardened concrete not only affects the appearance of ready-mix trucks and structures; it can also hinder the ability of equipment to work. However, using the wrong removal product may damage equipment, take too long, or be excessively dangerous to users. Sometimes, workers resort to hammers and other tools to try to chip off the concrete.

The Ease of MCI^® Super Remover

MCI^® Super Remover offers a powerful solution that is easy to use and works quickly. It can remove both calcium carbonates and oxides, making it applicable for concrete residue, scale, and rust. Although proper handling and PPE (personal protective equipment) should still be used, MCI^® Super Remover offers a safer alternative to hydrochloric acid. MCI^® Super Remover should be applied undiluted to the affected surface for 30 minutes to three hours, depending on the thickness and age of the residue, then scraped and/or pressure-washed to remove the softened residue. A final rinse with an alkaline cleaner such as VpCI^®-414 can be used to neutralize the surface and provide flash rust protection. MCI^® Super Remover can also be collected after use, filtered, and reused if its pH remains within its specified range.

Make MCI^® Super Remover Part of Your Cleanup Routine

Whether you are having trouble with concrete cleanup on drum mixers, ready-mix trucks, construction equipment, or batching plant structures, MCI® Super Remover is a practical way to help keep components looking as good as possible after a one-time job or as part of a regular maintenance routine. Contact Cortec® to learn more about this super concrete removal option!

Keywords: how to remove concrete residue, Cortec, MCI, concrete cleanup, how to clean ready-mix truck, construction site cleanup, calcium carbonate remover, fast concrete remover, alternatives to muriatic acid, equipment maintenance

For a PDF version please click here.

November 2, 2023

Dosing corrosion inhibiting admixtures into the ready-mix truck has simply gotten easier with the creation of MCI® Grenades in 5-pound (2.3
kg) bags! Rather than having to add 10 regular MCI® Grenades to the concrete truck, ready-mixers only need to add two 5-pound MCI® Grenades
to ensure the batch has enough Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors to protect embedded reinforcement. That means just one 5-pound MCI® Grenade is needed per half truck!

MCI® Grenades are water-soluble pouches that contain pre-measured MCI®-2006 NS powder, a Migrating Corrosion Inhibitor™ admixture for reinforced concrete. The bag and corrosion inhibitors easily dissolve in contact with concrete mix-water and disperse throughout the batch during mixing. Once inside the structure, this blend of amine carboxylates forms a protective molecular layer on embedded reinforcing steel, helping enhance the durability and service life of concrete structures.

Not only can MCI® Grenades be specified in new construction and repair projects, but they are also a great backup plan to have when dosing liquid admixtures such as MCI®-2005 NS. In a worst-case scenario where MCI® dosing equipment becomes clogged with foreign materials midpour, or a shortage of MCI®-2005 NS is discovered too late, contractors will be relieved to have MCI® Grenades on hand to continue an already stressful job without unnecessary delays.

MCI® Grenades are now available in four handy sizes to match the size of the repair or construction job. Dosage is as follows:

• One MCI® Mini Grenade per 0.5-0.6 ft³ (0.015 m³) of concrete
• One 1.1 lb (500 g) MCI® Grenade™ per 1 yd³ of concrete
• One Metric MCI® Grenade™ per 1 m³ of concrete
• One 5 lb (2.3 kg) MCI® Grenade™ per 5 yd³ (3.8 m³) of concrete

Contact Cortec® today to order your supply of MCI® Grenades based on job size!

Keywords: MCI, Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors, concrete admixtures, rusted rebar in concrete, corrosion inhibitors, concrete corrosion inhibitors, backup plan for ready mixers, Cortec, construction jobs, concrete repair

For a PDF version please click here.

Heavy equipment is essential to the mining and construction industries. However, work crews face two major upkeep challenges: (1) Harsh environments lead to corrosion and shortened service life and (2) Spilled cement and asphalt are difficult to remove once hardened. Cortec^® is seeking to help crews minimize these problems with three handy preventative maintenance coatings.

Option 1: Annual Preventative Maintenance

VpCI^®-391 is a water-based coating that can be sprayed directly over bare or painted metal. It leaves behind an inconspicuous non-tacky coating that inhibits corrosion and thus extends the service life of the equipment. Since VpCI^®-391 is technically a removable coating that can wear off over time, it should typically be reapplied once a year during annual preventative maintenance activities. Heavy equipment owners/users who have applied VpCI^®-391 in this way have seen a significant improvement in service life in harsh conditions.

Option 2: Long-Term Preventative Maintenance

For workers who want to get more time out of their “paint job,” EcoShield^® VpCI^®-386 serves as an outstanding permanent water-based corrosion inhibitor coating. It can be applied as a very thin clear coat over bare metal and painted surfaces, or, if desired, tinted to match the truck’s color theme. It can slow down the corrosion process for multiple years without reapplication.

Option 3: Corrosion Protection + Easier Cleaning

MCI^® Creteskin^® is a great option for ready-mix or asphalt trucks that are incredibly difficult to clean after concrete or asphalt residues dry on the surface. Spraying a coating of MCI^® Creteskin^® on the equipment before it is used leaves behind a coating that cures to a slightly waxy finish and prevents adhesion of cementitious materials. This makes it easier to clean hardened materials with high pressure water instead of abrasive blasting or acid removal. It also inhibits corrosion. Touchup can be done as needed to areas of the coating that wear away after normal use. Although it takes more initial thought and effort to apply a protective coating before the problem happens, doing so pays off in the long run by helping equipment last longer and making it easier to maintain. Take some time today to consider what situations your equipment will be up against and contact Cortec^® for help picking the best coating for your application.

Keywords: preventative maintenance, mining truck maintenance, cleaning ready-mix trucks, Cortec, protective coating, construction equipment maintenance checklist, building a maintenance program for heavy construction equipment, how do you clean a concrete mixer truck, corrosion inhibitors, remove concrete buildup from equipment

For a PDF version please click here.

The ACI Concrete Convention is coming October 29^th-November 2^nd to Boston, Massachusetts. We look forward to joining a host of concrete industry professionals and hope you will be among them as we work together to advance the concrete construction industry!

The 2023 convention will include a year of “firsts” for Cortec^® MCI^®: (1) Our team will host its first ACI booth, and (2) Kevin Quan (MCI^® Regional Sales Manager) will experience ACI for the first time. Returning attendees Jessi Meyer (VP of Technical and Product Sales) and Lisa Marston (Regional Technical Service Engineer) will complete our dynamic crew, making this year’s convention a great time for you to learn more about MCI^® Technology while getting to know some of the individuals that support and represent it.

As usual, the convention will be a powerful occasion to network with a rich cross section of industry professionals, including engineers, contractors, educators, and manufacturers. Special networking events such as the “Concrete Mixer” and “President’s Reception” will provide invaluable venues for connecting with other guests, committee chairs, and chapter presidents.

A menu of 60+ technical sessions will offer a wealth of educational opportunities, plus the chance to earn personal development hours (PDHs). Finally, 300+ committee meetings open to all attendees will provide ample time to network and grow in a different dimension with the potential for future contribution. Called “the world’s gathering place for advancing concrete,” the ACI Concrete Convention stands out as one of the richest technical venues for concrete networking. Register today and be sure to stop by our first MCI^® booth at ACI in Boston!

Register now!

Let us know you are coming!

ACI Concrete Convention
October 29^th–November 2^nd, 2023
Boston Convention Center & Westin Boston Waterfront
Boston, MA
www.concrete.org

Keywords: ACI Concrete Convention, concrete industry networking, MCI events, MCI networking, concrete corrosion, rebar rust, rusted rebar in concrete, construction industry conventions, Cortec MCI, From Grey to Green

For a PDF version please click here.

Cortec^® is pleased to announce that the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has added another MCI^® admixture to its Qualified Products List (QPL)! MCI^®-2005 NS was approved for the ITD QPL on July 13th. It falls under category “709 Concrete Curing Materials and Admixtures,” subcategory “Type S – Corrosion Inhibitor for Concrete.”

While lack of DOT approval in a certain state does not mean that product cannot be used, department of transportation (DOT) approval is important for three reasons:

1. It allows engineers to easily specify MCI^® in DOT construction projects for these states/provinces.
2. It lends credibility to engineers desiring to use MCI^® Technologies in non-DOT projects.
3. It ultimately can improve the quality of construction by qualifying good-performing products through review according to industry standards.

MCI^®-2005 NS is a concrete admixture that delays time to corrosion and reduces corrosion rates once started. Unlike calcium nitrite (CNI) admixtures, which accelerate set time and can cause workability problems, MCI^®-2005 NS does not affect set time and has received outstanding feedback from contractors all too familiar with the early set problems of CNI in hot weather. It is an excellent addition to the three MCI^® products already approved in Idaho, a state where concrete corrosion inhibitors are strongly needed to combat deicing salt corrosion! Contact Cortec^® to learn more about our MCI^® DOT approvals.

Keywords: concrete admixtures, DOT approval, Idaho Transportation Department, DOT approved admixtures, Cortec, MCI, calcium nitrite alternative, concrete early set problems, corrosion inhibitors, deicing salt corrosion

For a PDF version please click here.