MCI® CONCRETE ADMIXTURES - Enhance Durability & Extend Service Life
What is MCI®?
MCI® means Migrating Corrosion Inhibitor. Cortec® MCI® concrete admixtures are based on amine technology (amine alcohols & amine carboxylates). They are classified as mixed inhibitors meaning they affect both anodic and cathodic areas of a corrosion cell.
MCIs are attracted to metal surfaces where they form a protective layer to prevent or reduce corrosion. They are unique in that they have a vapor phase, allowing them to move into areas immediately adjacent the application, extending their corrosion inhibiting coverage.
MCI® Advantages
- Lower toxicity and environmental impact than traditional corrosion inhibiting admixtures (calcium nitrite)
- Significantly lower dosage rates than competitors (pints vs. gallons)
- Dosage rates independent of chloride levels
- Biobased/Renewable (amine carboxylates derived from corn)
- Non-set accelerating
- Ability to migrate through porous substrates (concrete, masonry, limestone, etc.) by capillary action, vapor diffusion and ionic attraction
- Minimal effect on concrete mix properties (workability, strength, air entrainment, etc.)
ADMIXTURE SELECTION
MCI® liquid admixtures have set dosage rates that are independent of chloride exposure levels. They come in normal set time and delayed set time formulations. Pure inhibitor dosage rates range between 16-24 ounces (1 – 1.5 pints) per cubic yard (0.6-1 liter per cubic meter) depending on product selected. Dual functioning admixtures such as MCI®-2007 superplasticizer with MCI®, will have dosage rates that are comparable to the pure inhibitor plus the additional component they are blended with.
MCI® powder admixtures have set dosage rates that are independent of chloride exposure levels. They come in normal set time and delayed set time formulations. Pure inhibitor dosage rates are generally one pound per cubic yard (0.6 kg per cubic meter). Grenades are powder pre-measured into water soluble packaging, sized for the area they will treat (cubic yard, cubic meter, or bag of repair mortar). Dual functioning admixtures such as MCI®-2012 Integrapel™ water repellant with MCI®, will have higher dosage rates that are comparable to the pure inhibitor plus the additional component they are blended with.
Specialty admixtures pair our pure MCI® with an additional feature such as super plasticizing or water repellency OR provide our standard admixtures in a convenient to use package size (MCI® Grenades).
COMPETITOR COMPARISON
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?