Concrete Corrosion Inhibitors Association (CCIA)

Corrosion Protection Means a Lower Life-Cycle Cost.

Corrosion Inhibitors, Proven Technology, are used in Roads, Walkways and Buildings Subjected to Severe Weather.

Seldom does a product come along that solves an important problem while at the same time saving money on construction cost. If a corrosion inhibitor is added at the ready mix plant, all the work of carefully placing, specially tying and repairing epoxy coated reinforcing bars is avoided. All the extra-labor cost is saved and this along with the price of the coating is far more than the additional cost of a corrosion inhibitor added at the mixer. Today the use of a corrosion inhibitor does not upset construction schedules. The set time, slump, finishing and strength can be made to exactly meet any production schedule.

Corrosion Service Model

Many computer programs were developed over the past 20 years to answer the question, "How long will my concrete last with a specific mix design?" The problem was that these programs often produced a diversity of answers. Corrosion occurs in all kinds of structures, enclosed buildings, highways, etc., no matter what the climate, hot or cold. One reliable model was needed! In 1998, The Strategic Development Council (SDC) of the American Concrete Institute held a meeting of industry leaders at the National Institute of Standards and Technology where a consortium was formed to develop a service-life prediction model that all industry could rely on. Such a model, Life – 365, is now available.

This industry-sponsored tool can be used to demonstrate to owners the life-cycle cost of alternative ways to protect concrete from corrosion. Some of the systems that can be compared are low-porosity concrete containing a corrosion inhibitor, epoxy-coated steel reinforce-ment, stainless steel, sealers and membranes. Life-365 can be used to predict both the time of corrosion onset and the time when corrosion will reach an unacceptable level.

A New Ready Mix Product for Discerning Customers

There are many ready mix operations throughout the US. The easiest way to offer a new differentiating, durable concrete product is to add a corrosion inhibitor at the mixer. Concrete can be made even more durable by combining a corrosion inhibitor with low-porosity concrete. Contact one of the companies listed below for further instructions on how to successfully use a corrosion inhibitor.

How Inhibitors Work

Corrosion inhibitors protect steel in concrete by densifying and strengthening the concrete, and creating a barrier coating on the reinforcing rods. Corrosion inhibitors raise the threshold for corrosion in concrete. If low porosity concrete is used with the corrosion inhibitor, corrosion can virtually be eliminated for the lifetime of the structure.

CCIA

The members of the Concrete Corrosion Inhibitors Association (CCIA) are Axim Concrete Technologies, Grace Construction Products and Master Builders. These major suppliers produce corrosion inhibitors that have been tested and sold for use in severe conditions for many years. For information, see our web page www.corrosioninhibitors.org or call us at 301/340-7368.