NEWS ALERT: How to Clean up Concrete Residue with MCI® Super Remover!

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.

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

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NEWS ALERT: New Five-Pound MCI® Grenade™ Makes Concrete Admixture Dosing Easier!

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!

New Five-Pound MCI® Grenade™

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.

NEWS ALERT: A Little Preventative Maintenance Goes a Long Way: Mining and Ready-Mix Trucks

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.

MCI® Creteskin®

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

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Join Us at “The World’s Gathering Place for Advancing Concrete”!

The ACI Concrete Convention is coming October 29th-November 2nd 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!

ACI MCI Technology

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 2nd, 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.

News Alert: Idaho Adds Another MCI® Admixture to its QPL! MCI®-2005 NS

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.”

MCI admixtures

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

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NEWS ALERT: Pelješac Bridge Wins Prestigious Engineering Award!

The Pelješac Bridge, a monumental structure for the nation of Croatia, recently won the prestigious Gustav Lindenthal Medal at the 2023 International Bridge Conference presented by the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania. The award recognizes outstanding bridge engineering achievements that demonstrate qualities such as “aesthetic merit” and “harmony with the environment.” Cortec® congratulates Pelješac Bridge engineers for this achievement and is proud to be among the structure’s suppliers of corrosion protection materials.

peljesac bridge

Corrosion Protection on Pelješac

Spanning a stretch of the Adriatic Sea, the Pelješac Bridge connects two parts of Croatia previously separated by water on one side and a neighboring country on the other. Due to design demands for a 130-year service life in the presence of a harsh saltwater environment, engineers of the Pelješac Bridge specified a multi faceted rust prevention strategy. In addition to AC coatings, cathodic protection, thick concrete cover, and stainless steel reinforcement, MCI®-2018 was applied to the bridge’s substructure piers for dual water repellency and corrosion inhibition to prolong service life.

Benefits of MCI®-2018

MCI®-2018 is a 100% silane water repellent containing Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors. As a surface applied corrosion inhibitor that does not change the appearance of the structure and is certified to meet ANSI/NSF Standard 61 for drinking water system components, MCI®– 2018 aligned well with the project’s aesthetic and environmental goals. Its CE certification under EN 1504-2 (2+ system) for superficial protection of concrete also qualified it for use in Europe.

As a company founded by Croatian-American entrepreneur Boris Miksic, Cortec® is proud to be part of this award-winning engineering and geographically strategic achievement in Croatia. Learn more about Cortec’s role in the Pelješac Bridge here!

Keywords: Pelješac Bridge, bridge engineering awards, Gustav Lindenthal Medal winners, International Bridge Conference, MCI, From Grey to Green, concrete corrosion, rusted rebar in concrete, extend service life, surface applied corrosion inhibitors

For a PDF version please click here.

NEWS ALERT: Comparing Options for Rusted Rebars in Concrete Patch Repairs

VpCI Corrverter on Rebar

Concrete spalling happens when corrosion on embedded rebar expands so much that it causes the concrete cover to break and fall off. The only responsible response is to repair the gap and seek to slow down the corrosion process. But what are the best materials to use on the exposed rusted rebars? Here is a look at two popular options.

  • 3K Bonding Agent

One commonly used product is a 3K material containing epoxy, corrosion inhibitor, and a bonding agent. These components are mixed and applied to clean metal reinforcement before the application of repair mortar. The coating works as a “glue” to bond the rebar or old concrete to the new patch material while also inhibiting corrosion on embedded reinforcement.

  • CorrVerter® MCI®

CorrVerter® MCI® Rust Primer is a single component water-based primer that converts rusted surfaces to a passive layer using a combination of chelating agents and a high solids waterborne latex with extremely low water vapor permeability. It can be applied to rusty rebar and patched with a concrete repair mortar once the primer has dried.

Some of the key differences between the two products are summarized in the following table:

3K Bonding Agent CorrVerter® MCI®
Surface Prep
Clean, rust-free surface is required; this typically means sandblasting

Sandblasting is labor-intensive and cannot clean the back of the rebar

Sandblasting byproducts create an environmental concern and must be disposed of carefully

Application to corroded surface is okay if loose rust has been brushed away

Repair mortar can be applied directly over CorrVerter® MCI®—no bonding agents required

Treatment of the back of the rebar is feasible with brush application

Application and Disposal
Three components must be mixed together and used within 1-2 hours or discarded

Two coats needed, 2-3 hours apart

Workers have 8-16 hours in which they can apply repair mortar for maximum bonding effect

One component; only needs enough mixing to ensure solids are evenly distributed

One or two coats needed; second coat can be applied after 20-30 minutes

Unused material can be covered and used later

Workers should wait 12-24 hours before applying patch material; minimal impact on bond strength thereafter

While both repair methods are valid, CorrVerter® MCI® offers obvious advantages in terms of reducing waste and simplifying labor. Which do you prefer? Contact Cortec® to learn more about the CorrVerter® MCI® advantage for spalling repairs!

Keywords: concrete repair, concrete spalling, concrete repair mortar, concrete bonding agent, rust converter, Cortec, From Grey to Green, MCI, CorrVerter, rebar coating

For a PDF version please click here.

NEWS ALERT: Spring ICRI Unfolds New Sights, Spheres, and Sustainability Goals

Spring ICRI with MCI

New sights and industry opportunities greeted the Cortec® MCI® team at the 2023 ICRI Spring Convention, April 17th-19th in Vancouver, B.C. The conference theme of “Concrete Protection from the Sea to Sky: Waterproofing and Corrosion Protection” fit hand in glove with MCI® Technology on display at Cortec’s tabletop booth, where Ash Hasania (MCI® Technical Sales & Market Manager) and Jessi Meyer (VP Product & Technical Sales) greeted fellow industry professionals. The conference was well attended by all players in concrete repair—from engineers to contractors and manufacturers. It was a special pleasure to connect with Canadian professionals from B.C. and greater Canada whom we do not often get the chance to see at ICRI events in the U.S.!

Industry Best Practices and New Technologies

As usual, the conference offered an interesting array of technical sessions. Ash enjoyed being able to attend many of these and took special interest in presentations on (1) industry best practices for extending service life of concrete patch repairs and (2) new technology designed to pull chlorides out of concrete. ICRI Committees Cortec® also made its share of contributions to ICRI committees. A longtime member of the marketing committee, Jessi and fellow committee members were recognized for their efforts during the ICRI awards lunch. Ash took time to participate in proceedings for ICRI Committee 510 (Corrosion), ICRI Committee 310 (Surface Preparation), and ICRI Committee 160 (Life Cycle and Sustainability).

The corrosion committee spent much of its time discussing and finally voting on and approving its half-cell potential guide. They also talked about renewing one of the committee’s previously published guides.

The surface preparation committee stressed the importance of PPE when preparing concrete surfaces, discussed updating current technical guidelines, and talked about using technology to improve currently offered tools like the rebar evaluation app and concrete surface profile chips. The sustainability committee discussed how to deal with the challenge of getting projects submitted for sustainability and longevity awards and decided to be more proactive going forward by looking for candidates among applicants for other awards.

Even more significant was the committee’s discussion on creating a guide for sustainability and durability of concrete repairs. This is an area that remains very vague in regard to evaluating the sustainability of concrete repairs and how carbon emissions figure into the picture. Ash volunteered to be part of the new group that hopes to eventually create a meaningful guide to help industry players navigate these concerns.

Sightseeing in Vancouver

In addition to work, there were some great opportunities to enjoy the culture and natural beauty of Vancouver. Outings included a trip to Vancouver Art Gallery and a stroll through the treetops for some thrills and beautiful views at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.

See You in the Fall!

All in all, Spring ICRI was a great time to connect, grow, and recreate with likeminded professionals. We wish our concrete industry friends and family a good construction season ahead and look forward to reuniting with you in Florida next October for the ICRI Fall Convention! Mark your calendars now!

2023 ICRI Fall Convention
October 16
th-18th
TradeWinds Island Resorts
5500 Gulf Blvd.
St. Pete Beach, Florida 33706
United States

Keywords: 2023 Spring ICRI, sustainability, concrete repair, concrete corrosion, rusted rebar in concrete, Cortec MCI, From Grey to Green, concrete sustainability, ICRI committee activities, extend service life

For a PDF version please click here.

Meet Your New Champion Against Rebar Rust in the Midwest!

Rich Harsdorf Regional Sales Manager, MCI® Phone: 651-350-9536 Email: rharsdorf@cortecvci.com

We are pleased to introduce our new MCI® Regional Sales Manager for the Midwestern United States! Rich Harsdorf joined Cortec® in February to oversee MCI® sales activities and accounts while working directly with clients in a region notorious for corrosion damage on concrete buildings and bridges.
With a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry and 16+ years working as a chemist and sales manager in the chemical industry, Rich is well-equipped to take on the challenge of protecting rebar in concrete from corrosion using MCI® Technology.

Rich is also passionate about developing positive relationships with his clients and making sure they are satisfied—even beyond their initial goals. “I believe the products Cortec® sell[s] offer a valuable solution to a problem,” Rich stated, “and I would love to introduce our products to customers in order to solve their problems.” He is ready to be proactive and supportive, placing customer needs before his own—even when it means putting in extra-long hours to finish the job.
If you work in the Midwest construction industry, Rich is here to support you in your quest for longer concrete service life with Cortec® MCI®. Contact him today for assistance—or simply to introduce yourself and welcome him onboard!

Rich Harsdorf
Regional Sales Manager, MCI®
Phone: 651-350-9536
Email: [email protected]

Keywords: rebar rust, concrete corrosion in Midwest, Cortec, MCI, From Grey to Green, Midwest construction industry, preventing corrosion in bridges, concrete corrosion, how to protect concrete from corrosion, how to extend concrete service life

For a PDF version please click here.

NEWS ALERT: Tips for Dealing with Rusty Rebar at the Construction Site

MCI® CorShield®,MCI®CorShield®,CorrVerter® MCI® Rust Primer,MCI®-2005,MCI®-2060

Are you tired of dealing with rusted rebar on the construction site and not sure where to turn for help? While rusted rebar can lead to serious problems with concrete adhesion and early corrosion, knowing when and how to address varying degrees of rust can make life on the construction site much easier. The tips below will give you and your colleagues a better understanding of rusty rebar problems and how to solve them.

Why So Much Rusted Rebar?

Fresh new metal surfaces are a magnet for corrosion and will continue to be so as long as they are exposed to moisture and oxygen. That is why rebar often reaches the construction site with at least a thin layer of flash rust. The situation only gets worse the longer the rebar sits outside in the construction yard, whether in a pile of raw materials or protruding from concrete where it was partially embedded before the construction project was put on hold.

How to Determine the Level of Flash Rust

Before deciding what to do about rebar rust, it is helpful to evaluate its severity. “A Guide to Flash Rust Prevention and Protection,” available for download from Corrosionpedia, offers some helpful tips for categorizing flash rust as light, moderate, and heavy. In addition to offering basic visual guidelines, the publication notes three tests that can be used for more detailed identification of the level of rust: the Brush Cloth Test, the Ten Tape Test, and the Tape Transmittance Test.

Decide which Mitigation Path to Take

Once the degree of rust has been identified, workers can decide which corrosion control method to adopt. The following options can be used as general guidelines, but the ultimate decision must be based on personal experience and good judgment.

Option 1: Do nothing. If the rebar only shows light rust, the Corrosionpedia flash rust guide says it may be possible to simply wipe it off with a cloth. At this stage, the cleaned rebar can go directly into a concrete mix enhanced with an MCI® admixture such as MCI®-2005.

Option 2: Apply MCI® CorShield® . If the flash rust is light but the rebar will be sitting out in the open for some time, the next best option is to wipe off the flash rust and apply MCI® CorShield®, a clear non-tacky temporary coating that does not need to be removed before concrete placement. MCI® CorShield® will slow down the corrosion process until the rebar is installed or the rest of the concrete is placed.

Option 3: Clean the rebar and apply MCI®CorShield®. If the rebar is moderately flash rusted, it may need to be cleaned off with a high-pressure rinse to remove most or all of the rust before coating. One of Corrosionpedia’s suggestions for countering corrosion during the water blasting process is to add corrosion inhibitors to blast water. By their nature, the corrosion inhibitors in a cleaner such as MCI®-2060 fall under the guide’s classification of “passivators,” i.e., those corrosion inhibitors that leave behind a thin protective film to extend the window of time in which metal can be coated without flash rusting. Once the rust has been removed and the surface has dried, MCI® CorShield® can be applied for extended outdoor protection.

Option 4: Remove loose rust and apply CorrVerter® MCI®. If the rust is moderate to heavy and more than can be removed with a good pressure wash, CorrVerter® MCI® Rust Primer is another excellent option. After removing loose rust and cleaning the rebar, workers can apply this water-based coating directly onto the rusty rebar. CorrVerter® MCI® converts existing rust into a hydrophobic passive layer and discourages re-rusting, leaving the rebar with a clean fresh start for concrete placement. While you cannot completely stop rust, you can fight it and prevent it from doing as much damage as it could do otherwise. Finding rusty rebar at the construction site is not the end of the story, but neither should it be overlooked. While proper treatment of rusty rebar is an art, evaluating its severity and applying appropriate methods of cleaning, protection, and passivation, should leave you and other contractors much less overwhelmed by the sight of rusty reinforcing bars on the jobsite.

Contact Cortec® to learn more about dealing with flash rust on rebar: https://www.cortecmci.com/contact-us/

Keywords: rusty rebar, tips for rusty rebar on the construction site, guide to flash rust, Cortec, CorrVerter, MCI, how to determine level of flash rust, corrosion inhibitors, corrosion control, add corrosion inhibitors to blast water

For a PDF version please click here.