DCI® stopping reinforcing steel corrosion in its tracks
Overview about steel-reinforced concrete
Steel-reinforced concrete is literally responsible for every city skyline in existence, but chlorides in the environment will eventually corrode and degrade the steel inside it. This causes the steel rebar or mesh inside concrete to corrode, severely diminishing the strength of a concrete structure. Before the steel corrodes, however, it also expands up to four times, causing cracks, stains, crazing and spalling.
Where are chlorides found?
Chlorides can be found in soils, deicing salts and in marine environments. Some examples of structures include parking garage decks and support structures, bridge decks and support members and coastal structures. Chlorides are also occasionally added to concrete during manufacture. DCI® S corrosion inhibitor is recommended for any steel-reinforced concrete structure in these conditions.
DCI® is a corrosion inhibitor containing calcium nitrite, which deposits on the reinforcing steel to create a chemical barrier. This barrier delays the onset of corrosion, and prevents corrosion from accelerating once it starts. In sufficient quantity, DCI® will maintain an active corrosion-controlling system within the concrete matrix throughout the lifetime of the structure.
DCI® S offers corrosion protection equal to DCI®, and is formulated for situations where accelerated concrete set times are not required or desired. Prestressed concrete applications, as well as warm or hot weather cast-in-place construction, are those most likely to benefit from this project.