Category: News Alert

NEWS ALERT: Join Us as We Head Back to World of Concrete!

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After a break in the action at World of Concrete (WOC) due to pandemic interruptions, Cortec® MCI® will be back on the scene at Booth #C4014 in January! WOC 2022, January 18th-20th in Las Vegas, will be a great time to reconnect with industry professionals and get to know some of the new MCI® team members you may not have met yet. We invite you to schedule a one-on-one with your regional rep or just stop by to say “hi” and chat about life! You may also want to visit the booth to

  • View MCI® samples
  • Browse new MCI® literature
  • Learn about our new MCI® products

Most of all, you will not want to miss our MCI® Lunchand-Learn (by reservation only), where we will bring you up to date on important highlights from the world of MCI® over the last two years. We also plan to schedule a fun social activity for our MCI® Friends and Family during the week, so be sure to let us know if you will be attending! Watch for an email invite coming your way or contact your MCI® rep now to sign up.

Of course, don’t forget to register for World of Concrete 2022, too! (Note: register with ICRI by December 13th for a special discount: https://www.icri.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1499421&group=)

Keywords: World of Concrete, WOC, concrete, Cortec MCI, Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors, construction industry, concrete durability,
admixtures, SACI, concrete repair

For a PDF version please click here.

NEWS ALERT: Cortec® Excited to be Part of Host Chapter for ICRI Fall 2021 Convention

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November 2, 2021

Cortec® was excited to return to a live convention for ICRI’s Fall 2021 convention in Minneapolis, MN! Our entire MCI® team – Ashraf Hasania (MCI® Technical Sales & Product Manager), Kevin Quan (MCI® Regional Sales Manager, East Coast), Jon Connealy (MCI® Regional Sales Manager, Midwest), Lisa Marston (MCI® Regional Technical Service Engineer) and Jessi Meyer (Vice President – Technical Sales & Product Management) – was on hand to welcome attendees to the convention and educate them on
the MCI® product line at our tabletop booth. As a part of the Minnesota Chapter of ICRI, Jessi Meyer helped with the chapter hosted events of Axe Throwing at Flannel Jax’s in St. Paul, and a Riverboat Cruise down the Mississippi River. First time attendees, Kevin Quan and Lisa Marston were able to participate in a First Time Attendee’s reception on Monday evening as well as a scavenger hunt.

Attendance was a bit lower than normal as the first live convention since Fall of 2019, however all attendees seemed genuinely happy to see a return to meeting in person again! Our team continued to play an important role in ICRI committees participating in the Corrosion Committee, Membership and Marketing Committees, and the Life-Cycle and Sustainability Committee. Marston and Meyer also enjoyed attending the Women in ICRI committee and listening to guest speaker Natalie Faber, who spoke about her newly founded 501 (C) 6 program called 3C, which helped to place 155 disadvantaged youth in concrete repair industry internships in its first summer program. “It’s amazing to see what a difference one person can make, and I am excited to see how we can help the program grow in Minnesota and other areas around the country,” Meyer commented.

Cortec® looks forward to following up with the many individuals who visited the MCI® booth during the October 10th-13th convention and
anticipates seeing many familiar and unfamiliar faces once again at the 2022 ICRI Spring Convention in April 2022! Look for details on the
upcoming event here: https://www.icri.org/events/event_list.asp#

Keywords: MCI, Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors, Cortec, concrete repair, concrete surface preparation, concrete surface repair, , concrete additives, repair mortar, cathodic protection, concrete coatings, concrete, mortar, grout, corrosion, corrosion inhibitor, surface applied, grouting, post-tensioning, rebar, restoration, concrete restoration, concrete sealant, service life, concrete service life, from grey to green, ICRI Fall Convention, Women in ICRI, ICRI Minnesota Chapter

For a PDF version please click here.

Equip Your Construction Crew with a Full PT Protection System!

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PT (post-tensioning) cables typically consist of relatively narrow metal strands under high tension. Even a minor loss of cross-section from corrosion damage could lead to snapping and failure, resulting in serious structural damage. MCI®-309 is an extremely efficient method of dry corrosion mitigation to meet this critical need for protecting PT strands during grouting delays. Even better, Cortec® MCI® Technology goes a step farther by offering a full protection system for each stage of the PT construction process.

Shipping and Storage
PT strands are often exposed to unpredictable and corrosive environments during transport and onsite storage. Instead of simply covering them in conventional plastic, manufacturers and/or construction crews can wrap them in MCI® Construction Film for an added layer of corrosion protection. Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors in the plastic form a protective molecular layer on all accessible metal surfaces packaged within and do not need to be removed before PT placement.

PT Strand Placement
Protection of PT strands after placement in the PT duct is the most familiar PT corrosion concern. State and federal regulations often call for corrosion inhibitor application if grouting will be delayed two weeks or more. MCI®-309 is the optimal choice because it is easy to apply with little to no surface prep, typically does not need to be removed before grouting, and does not adversely impact bonding with grout. (Check out this video to see how easy it is to apply MCI®-309: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMw1uhIEZss&ab_channel=CortecCorporation.)

Grouting and Beyond
Mini MCI® Grenades can be added to the PT duct grout to provide ongoing protection in the completed structure. Mini MCI® Grenades contain Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors packed in water-soluble bags that easily dissolve when added to the grouting mix. One Mini MCI® Grenade® protects 0.4-0.6 ft³ (0.011-0.017 m³) of grout mixture.

By incorporating MCI® at every stage, contractors can promote a longer service life for the all-important tendons that support PT structures, thus enhancing the durability of the entire structure. Contact us for further assistance: https://www.cortecmci.com/contact-us/

Keywords: post tensioning cables, construction delays, PT tendon, PT strands, MCI, Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors, post tension buildings, post tension concrete, corrosion of post tension cable, grouting delays, grouting delay requirements

Equip Your Construction Crew with a Full PT Protection System!

NEWS ALERT: Join Cortec® Southeast Asia at the Virtual Indonesian Infrastructure Week!

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Cortec® Southeast Asia (SEA) is looking forward to penetrating the surrounding region with Cortec® corrosion solutions by expanding its user base at the upcoming Virtual Indonesian Infrastructure Week Exhibition! The live portion of the virtual event will take place November 3rd-5th on the Infrastructure Connect platform where more than 10,000 professionals are expected to gather to learn more about new technologies and innovations related to infrastructure needs. Cortec® SEA is looking forward to the opportunity to introduce MCI® Technologies for extending concrete service life to architects, engineers, contractors, government officials, and many others. In particular, they are eager to discuss the following topics:

• Migrating Corrosion Inhibiting admixtures for new construction: standards, function, and impact on service life
• Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors for protection of PT structures
• Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors for repair and rehabilitation of existing structures
• Preservation of assets during construction delays

If you are in the region or know someone who is, be sure to register and spread the word about this exciting networking and educational opportunity! Register here: https://infrastructureconnect.id/visitor-registration/

For a PDF version please click here.

Join us at the 2021 ICRI Fall Convention in Minneapolis!

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September 1, 2021

We are excited to be gearing up for the 2021 International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) Fall Convention! After more than a year away from the norm, we are looking forward to once again being in person for three days packed with networking, fun, and concrete repair education right in Cortec® and ICRI’s own “backyard” of Minneapolis, Minnesota!

Our entire MCI® North America team will be present hosting a tabletop booth, so whether you are from Montreal, Philadelphia, San Diego, or somewhere in between, know that your MCI® rep is going to be there for you. In fact, we encourage you to schedule a one-on-one meeting in advance so you can get right down to business discussing your MCI® projects, prospects, and needs with your rep when you come see us (and to get entered in a prize drawing!) Mark your calendars now!

2021 ICRI FALL CONVENTION
October 11-13, 2021
Theme: Evaluation and Forensics—"Despair to Repair"
Marriott Minneapolis City Center | Minneapolis, Minnesota

Get more details and register here: https://www.icri.org/event/2021-ICRI-Fall

Sign up for a one-on-one with your MCI® rep and get entered in a prize drawing here:
https://info.cortecmci.com/l/562712/2021-08-31/l7sdvh

Keywords: ICRI, concrete repair, corrosion, Cortec, MCI, Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors,
concrete durability, ICRI fall convention

For a PDF version please click here.

Earn AIA Learning Units with Cortec® MCI®!

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August 25, 2021

continuing education system provider (CES) with the American Institute of Architects (AIA)

Cortec® continues to reinforce its position as a global leader in corrosion control solutions by offering educational courses designed for the construction industry. As part of this initiative, Cortec® has recently registered and been approved as a “passport” level continuing education system provider (CES) with the American Institute of Architects (AIA)!

Cortec® has always been keen on providing educational services to construction professionals regarding corrosion inhibitors and the role they play in improving the durability of concrete and steel structures. Cortec’s presentations and educational offerings have generally been delivered in a variety of formats and venues including “Lunch and Learns,” individual meetings, virtual seminars, industry events and trade shows, and more. To add even more value to these opportunities, Cortec’s presentations now earn attendees education credits that can be used toward renewing individual professional registration licenses in different jurisdictions. Cortec’s accredited educational content will be available in person, online, live, or on demand anywhere in the world.

Currently registered Cortec® MCI® courses offer participants elective learning units and Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) learning units.

The courses primarily discuss the corrosion challenges in construction and the role of corrosion inhibitors in mitigating these problems. The following topics are among the offered courses:

• How corrosion happens in concrete
• Service life modeling to predict the serviceability of a concrete structure
• An introduction to corrosion inhibitors including their types, mechanisms, applications, and limitations
• Testing and verification of corrosion inhibitor performance
• Global case histories where corrosion inhibitors have been used successfully

Registered courses are being offered to all construction professionals and can be requested on the Cortec® MCI® website at this link: https://www.
cortecmci.com/aia-ces-continuing-education-programs/. Apply today!

Keywords: AIA, continuing education, MCI, Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors, service life, corrosion, corrosion protection, construction,
corrosion in concrete, architects, durability

For a PDF version please click here.

How Do MCI®-2005/2005 NS Admixtures Compare to the Competition?

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August 19, 2021

When building new concrete structures, ready mix suppliers, project owners, and specifying engineers naturally want to use the product that works best for the job. So, in the case of corrosion inhibitors, what are the defining features of how MCI® admixtures line up against the competition? Here are some key factors to know when comparing MCI®-2005 and MCI®-2005 NS amine carboxylates against other corrosion inhibiting admixtures on the market.

• MCI®-2005/2005 NS do not accelerate set time. Calcium nitrite typically does, sometimes to great disadvantage by decreasing workability and increasing cold joint formation.
• MCI®-2005/2005 NS meet ASTM C1582. Amine alcohol corrosion inhibiting admixtures do not.
• MCI®-2005/2005 NS have small dosage rates compared to calcium nitrite and competitor amine alcohols (MCI®: 1-1.5 pt/yd³ [0.6-1 L/m³]; Competition: 1-6 gal/yd³ [5-30 L/m³]).
• MCI®-2005 NS has no noticeable impacts on concrete physical properties including compressive strength, set time, and air content, unlike competing corrosion inhibitors. (MCI®-2005 slightly delays set time, which is often desired.)
• MCI®-2005/2005 NS are certified to meet NSF Standard 61 for use in potable water structures. Competitor technologies are not.
• MCI®-2005/2005 NS contain renewable resources (MCI®- 2005 in particular is a USDA Certified Biobased Product). Calcium nitrite admixtures do not.
• MCI®-2005/2005 NS do not increase shrinkage compared to a control. Calcium nitrite admixtures can have serious problems with shrinkage cracking.

MCI vs Competitor Admixtures table MCI-2005

Each of these qualities carries important implications for the builder and can affect workability, sustainability, or even long-term durability, all of which typically translate into economic savings.MCI®-2005/2005 NS admixtures come out of the comparison with obvious advantages.

Log in to the rep section of our MCI® website to access more specific competitor comparisons soon:
https://www.cortecmci.com/login/

Keywords: corrosion, concrete, admixtures, Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors, MCI, cold joints, durability, service life, construction, ready mix, specifying engineers, rebar corrosion, concrete, admixture.

For a PDF version please click here.

NEWS ALERT: Fun and Fundraising for a ‘Concrete’ Cause

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August 10, 2021

The Cortec® MCI® team had fun July 20th playing golf and raising money for a good cause at the ICRI (International Concrete Repair Institute) Minnesota Chapter Annual Golf Tournament at Bunker Hills Golf Course. The yearly event is a fundraiser for the ICRI scholarship that goes to a student taking courses related to concrete repair, whether it be in engineering or a related trade.

Jessi Meyer (VP of Sales) and Lisa Marston (Technical Service Engineer) made up a foursome with a readymix supplier client from AVR, while Jon Connealy (Regional Sales Manager – MCI® Central) worked at the hole sponsored by Cortec®. Jon hosted golf Skeeball and gave away small prizes for playing as well as rewarding the highest and lowest scores of the day. Cortec® also sponsored one of the evening’s prize drawings—a “Play Nine” golf card game and a pro shop gift certificate won by MN ICRI member Terry Babcock.In a day with increasing concern about repair maintenance of buildings, ICRI is truly the main go-to for information on the proper repair of concrete and masonry structures. Cortec® has been a proud supporter of this organization for over 20 years and was happy to promote education and concrete repair once again through the local ICRI chapter golf sponsorship!

Learn more about ICRI Minnesota here: https://www.icri.org/page/MIN_chapter

For a PDF version please click here.