NEWS ALERT: New Demo Video Shows How MCI® Mini Grenades Dissolve in Water!

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.

PRESS RELEASE: How Do Cortec® MCI® Admixtures Fit into Standards for New Construction?

A good engineer will be careful to consult best practices when designing a new structure. Over the years, many helpful guidelines have been compiled by industry experts to address a range of concerns including rebar corrosion. By taking advantage of these recommendations, contractors, builders, and engineers can find ways to enhance structural durability in the face of corrosive environments. Among these solutions are MCI® admixtures, an exceptional technology with important ties to industry standards.

Standards on Corrosion Inhibiting Admixtures
The following construction industry standards recognize the use of corrosion inhibiting admixtures and contain a wealth of industry best practices to reference:

US Guidelines
• ACI PRC-212.3-16: Report on Chemical Admixtures for Concrete (American Concrete Institute, March 2016)
• ACI PRC-222-19: Guide to Protection of Metals in Concrete Against Corrosion (American Concrete Institute, 2019)
• NACE Publication 21428-2018: Corrosion Inhibiting Admixtures for Reinforced Concrete—A State of the Art Report (NACE International, 2018)
• NRMCA Publication 2PE004-21: Guide to Improving Specifications for Ready Mixed Concrete (National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, 2021)

Canadian Guidelines
• CSA S413-21: Parking structures (CSA Group, 2021)

UK Guidelines
• BS EN 1504-9:2008: Products and systems for the protection and repair of concrete structures (British Standards Institution, 2008)
• TR 61: Enhancing reinforced concrete durability: Guidance on selecting measures for minimising the risk of corrosion of reinforcement in concrete (The Concrete Society, 2004)

Middle East Guidelines
• CS Guide to the Design of Concrete Structures in the Arabian Peninsula (The Concrete Society, October 2008)

Of special interest are those guidelines that specifically reference amine carboxylate (i.e., MCI®) corrosion inhibiting admixtures. These are described in depth in ACI 212.3R-16, which firmly establishes the technology as an accepted industry standard. Even the guidelines that do not specifically name amine carboxylate technology cover MCI® admixtures generically under their corrosion inhibitor definitions, further identifying the use of corrosion inhibiting admixtures as an industry best practice.

Why Choose MCI® Over CNI Admixtures?
Another admixture prominently featured in these guidelines is calcium nitrite (CNI), raising the question of why to choose MCI® over CNI admixtures. The following points help engineers understand what sets MCI® amine carboxylate admixture technology apart as an excellent alternative to CNI:

• MCI® admixtures are dosed independently of chloride loading, whereas CNI dosage can rapidly increase due to heavy chloride exposure.
• MCI® admixtures do not accelerate set time, making them much easier to work with than CNI, which often causes problems for ready-mixers as a set accelerator. CNI can be a nightmare when poured in the heat of summer, and many contractors have seen a stark and welcome contrast on workability when using a normal set version of MCI®-2005 instead of CNI.
• Many MCI® admixtures are certified to meet ANSI/NSF Standard 61 for use in drinking water system components.
• MCI®-2005 is a USDA Certified Biobased Product. Several other MCI® admixtures also include a portion of biobased content, which can help projects earn credit toward LEED certification.

Take the Critical Step
When it comes to new construction, following best practices is a critical step to maximizing the longevity and durability of a building. Many existing guidelines demonstrate that corrosion inhibiting admixtures, including amine carboxylates, have become an industry standard for corrosion protection in a variety of situations. Contact Cortec® to learn more about taking advantage of these guidelines and MCI® admixtures to extend service life: https://www.cortecmci.com/contact-us/

Keywords: Cortec, MCI, MCI admixtures, standards for new construction, engineer best practices, rebar corrosion, construction industry standards, corrosion inhibiting admixtures, calcium nitrite alternative, From Grey to Green

Need a High-Resolution Photo?  Please Visit: www.cortecadvertising.com

For a PDF version please click here.

CASE HISTORY SPOTLIGHT #734: Best PT Mix Ever!

In 2021, a new mixed-use complex in Nebraska called for the construction of a four-level post-tension (PT) parking garage with a 100-year design life (before the first corrosion-related repair). Adding a corrosion inhibitor was essential because of the high corrosion risk from frequent winter freeze-thaw cycles, excessive ice, and heavy deicing salts.

Shortly before the first concrete pour, the contractor had a bad experience using a calcium nitrite corrosion inhibitor (CNI) in another PT parking garage. The PT mix had been difficult to place and finish because of set acceleration, stiffness, and a low slump. As a result, the contractor decided to try MCI®-2005 NS as an alternative in the next project.

The first pour took place in the middle of a July heat wave, with the heat index at 100 °F (38 °C) at 9:30 in the morning. Since heat can accelerate set time, the contractor wondered if they should wait until evening to pour the mix. Their Cortec® MCI® regional sales manager reassured them that they could go ahead and treat the mix as they normally would under these temperatures. They did so, and soon noticed how much easier it was to consolidate and place the mix than their last CNI batch. Even an interruption in the placement job left them with great results when they resumed and made their first finishing pass.
At the end of the pour, the contractor’s general superintendent commented that this was the best PT mix he had ever placed and that he never wanted to go back to CNI. In less than a week, his prediction that other local ready-mix suppliers would want to switch over, as well, came true when all ready-mixer bids for another parking garage included MCI
®-2005 NS as their corrosion inhibiting admixture.

To read more details in the full case history, please visit: https://www.corteccasehistories.com/?s2member_file_download=access-s2member-level1/ch734.pdf

Keywords: Case History Spotlight, Cortec, MCI, CNI, corrosion inhibiting admixture, set acceleration problems, corrosion, calcium nitrite alternative, deicing salt corrosion, pouring concrete in heat wave

For a PDF version please click here.