Equipping the Concrete Industry with Corrosion-Inhibiting Sealers
Whether protecting new, existing, or repaired concrete from deterioration, sealers/water repellents can play an important role in durability for the construction industry.
The past 20 years have seen the increasing use of concrete sealers in the construction industry. Sealers are applied to concrete primarily to keep water and water-soluble compounds from entering the concrete through the surface pores.
As more is understood about alkali-silica reactions (ASR) and alkali aggregate reactions (AAR), sealers have been found to be a cost-effective way of mitigating those issues. They are also used to protect reinforcing steel from corrosion within concrete. For those involved in concrete design and maintenance, it is important to be aware of this enhanced concrete water-repellent technology and be equipped with best practices to ensure effective application.