Monday, January 31, 2011
Film Forming Sealers
Manufactured based on special modified acrylic systems, which exhibits high water repellency upon cure, provides long term protection from efflorescence, and provides additional stain resistance.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
CoatMasters Impregnating sealers
Designed for use as a penetrating system and functions as a water and oil repellent for treating against water vapor permeability, and resistance to naturally protect color, and continuously provide a breathable porous substrate. Additional benefits include excellent water repellency, greatly minimize spalling, and have a very low odor for ease of application by brush, roll, flow, and or spray.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
CM9007 - Integral Waterproofing Admixture
A novel product formulation engineered to provide the highest performance in integral waterproofing protection.
An integral admixture for waterproofing of concrete, GFRC, or other types of polymeric cementitious mixes. For use in reducing water ingress and water absorption able to meet 1.0% maximum water absorption level according to recommended dosage. Tested according to British Standard (BS 1881: Part 122: 1983). Increases compressive and flexural strength properties, and densifiies the film upon cure. The final result provides long term protection from corrosion on structural reinforced concrete, and efflorescence protection from various salt build-ups.
An integral admixture for waterproofing of concrete, GFRC, or other types of polymeric cementitious mixes. For use in reducing water ingress and water absorption able to meet 1.0% maximum water absorption level according to recommended dosage. Tested according to British Standard (BS 1881: Part 122: 1983). Increases compressive and flexural strength properties, and densifiies the film upon cure. The final result provides long term protection from corrosion on structural reinforced concrete, and efflorescence protection from various salt build-ups.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Sustainability
Rethinking the way concrete is manufactured.
By helping people build smarter with Elemix additive, an efficient product that delivers sustainable benefits in bold tangible ways.
We are committed to the triple bottom line approach to sustainability – economic, social and environmental. Our belief is that a sustainable business is a profitable and socially responsible one.
We are committed to the triple bottom line approach to sustainability – economic, social and environmental. Our belief is that a sustainable business is a profitable and socially responsible one.
Environmental - Elemix additive is a patented, manufactured product that supplements naturally occurring aggregates. That means fewer quarries have to be mined – decreasing the impact construction has on the environment.
Social – The lightweight properties of Elemix additive provide a safer working environment. Loads are lightened significantly, lessening the effect manually transported concrete has on workers well-being.
Economic - Elemix additive improves the thermal characteristics of concrete. As the R-value increases, energy demand decreases, resulting in lower heating and cooling costs for buildings. The lightweight characteristics of elemix additive allows for overall material source reduction – reducing the amount of concrete and steel needed to build – delivering a more cost-effective structure. The global consistent availability of Elemix additive helps to streamline product offerings for businesses operating in multiple geographies – delivering a standard solution, regardless of location.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Innovation on silicon molecular structure
There are three main classes of silicon compounds
The silicones or silanes used in the hydrophobisation of construction or construction materials can be subdivided into three classes.
• Monomeric alkyl alkoxy silanes
• Oligomeric alkyl alkoxy siloxanes
• Polymeric siloxanes
All three types form a 3-dimensional resin like network after application and curing. Their chemical stability to the silicate components of building materials produces a stable and durable bond to most mineral substrates. At the same time, the alkyl groups orient themselves towards the exterior (air) side and protect the surface, acting rather like microscopic umbrellas to protect against the penetration of humidity.
Molecular structure determines key properties
The mode of action or the site of attachment of the siloxanes depends on their chemical structure.
While polysiloxanes create a film at the surface of the substrate, low molecular weight silanes and oligomeric siloxanes penetrate into the available pores. i.e. these low molecular weight products are subject to capillary absorption. Embedded in the pores of the building material, they reduce the capillary absorption of water, the well known “suction” effect of all capillaries. Therefore, they have almost no influence on the surface of the substrate, and its appearance remains visually unchanged.
The polysiloxanes on the other hand, form a surface film which leads to a visual change producing a dark, wet looking surface. Beading effects, which are commonly used to demonstrate the effectiveness of a hydrophobic treatment are more pronounced on a polysiloxane treated surface than for the two other product classes. This is not, however, an indication of effectiveness. On the contrary, no film forming polysiloxane is allowed or approved for use by certain European and US building agencies.
Silanes and polysiloxanes have been traditionally used as hydrophobing agents, but more recently oligomeric siloxanes have gained grounds. They represent an excellent way to combine certain properties of the other two classes, such as high effectiveness and good penetration, durable bonding, and minimal visual change to the surface along with its good water vapor permeability typical of silicones.
Innovation on silicon molecular structure
The ability to develop newer class of silicon emulsions is very much possible with technologies that improve both hydrophobic and oleophobic characteristics by producing silicon hybrids with multiple functionalities. In addition to the standard characteristics that regular Silanes and Polysiloxanes has to offer, new hybrid silicon are developed by IMRAE to improve properties of concrete with greater effect on reactivity “in-situ” with other molecular structures formed during the continuous hydration of cement. This unique feature further enhances both its physical and chemical characteristics that further prolong the performance life of concrete.
References:
(1) Salvatore Re, Stain Prtoection…Paper at “Coatings for Masonry and Concrete”, Brussels
2003; published by the PRA, Hampton, UK.
(2) E. Garci, Silicon Resin Emulsions, Paper at “Silicons for Coating”, Brussels 1996, published
by the PRA, Hampton, UK.
The silicones or silanes used in the hydrophobisation of construction or construction materials can be subdivided into three classes.
• Monomeric alkyl alkoxy silanes
• Oligomeric alkyl alkoxy siloxanes
• Polymeric siloxanes
All three types form a 3-dimensional resin like network after application and curing. Their chemical stability to the silicate components of building materials produces a stable and durable bond to most mineral substrates. At the same time, the alkyl groups orient themselves towards the exterior (air) side and protect the surface, acting rather like microscopic umbrellas to protect against the penetration of humidity.
Molecular structure determines key properties
The mode of action or the site of attachment of the siloxanes depends on their chemical structure.
While polysiloxanes create a film at the surface of the substrate, low molecular weight silanes and oligomeric siloxanes penetrate into the available pores. i.e. these low molecular weight products are subject to capillary absorption. Embedded in the pores of the building material, they reduce the capillary absorption of water, the well known “suction” effect of all capillaries. Therefore, they have almost no influence on the surface of the substrate, and its appearance remains visually unchanged.
The polysiloxanes on the other hand, form a surface film which leads to a visual change producing a dark, wet looking surface. Beading effects, which are commonly used to demonstrate the effectiveness of a hydrophobic treatment are more pronounced on a polysiloxane treated surface than for the two other product classes. This is not, however, an indication of effectiveness. On the contrary, no film forming polysiloxane is allowed or approved for use by certain European and US building agencies.
Silanes and polysiloxanes have been traditionally used as hydrophobing agents, but more recently oligomeric siloxanes have gained grounds. They represent an excellent way to combine certain properties of the other two classes, such as high effectiveness and good penetration, durable bonding, and minimal visual change to the surface along with its good water vapor permeability typical of silicones.
Innovation on silicon molecular structure
The ability to develop newer class of silicon emulsions is very much possible with technologies that improve both hydrophobic and oleophobic characteristics by producing silicon hybrids with multiple functionalities. In addition to the standard characteristics that regular Silanes and Polysiloxanes has to offer, new hybrid silicon are developed by IMRAE to improve properties of concrete with greater effect on reactivity “in-situ” with other molecular structures formed during the continuous hydration of cement. This unique feature further enhances both its physical and chemical characteristics that further prolong the performance life of concrete.
References:
(1) Salvatore Re, Stain Prtoection…Paper at “Coatings for Masonry and Concrete”, Brussels
2003; published by the PRA, Hampton, UK.
(2) E. Garci, Silicon Resin Emulsions, Paper at “Silicons for Coating”, Brussels 1996, published
by the PRA, Hampton, UK.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Water Repellancy
Excellent Hydrolytic Stability
A unique feature of both our topical and impregnating sealers is their ability to maintain performance integrity. Exhibits excellent water resistance, and provides a breathable concrete surface for release of vapor pressure.
A unique feature of both our topical and impregnating sealers is their ability to maintain performance integrity. Exhibits excellent water resistance, and provides a breathable concrete surface for release of vapor pressure.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Quality Thru Product Innovation
Understanding effects of corrosion in reinforced concrete.
Although well known for its durability, concrete is subject to corrosion as a result of the onslaught of humidity and chloride-ion penetration, which does not only have a destructive impact on the concrete itself, but also on the reinforcement steel used to improve the tension of the structure. When rebar corrodes, the rust expands cracking the concrete, and unbonding the rebar from the concrete. The water in the pores of the cement is normally alkaline-and in such environment steel is passive and does not corrode. However, the carbon dioxide from the air reacts with the alkaline in the cement and makes the pore water more acidic. The acidity in combination with humidity leads to corrosion of the rebar – and the process is hastened by the presence of chloride ions.
All this destructive reactions require water. Hence, keeping the concrete dry is an important feature for concrete protection and maintenance. Bituminous coatings are reported to have limited durability and after a while the corrosion process will start due to its weak interfacial film failure that occurs overtime. The limited mechanic ability and penetrabili ty to protect the surface deeper from the concrete surface does not provide the protection needed due to attack of anions toward the passive steel in the concrete matrix. At the same time rendering bituminous coatings prone to adhesion failure, wherein durability is weakened by the elements over varying weather conditions.
Proven effectiveness of Silicon Emulsions
Water based silicon emulsions based on various types from siloxanes, and silane derivatives however, have been considered as the latest solution to contain corrosion. Tests conducted on the use of siloxane emulsions on roadwork applications such as tunnels and bridges by independent and authorized institutes in Germany and Sweden, have proved their efficiency. Recent tests for US highway applications according to National Cooperative Highway Research Program Report 244-11 have also confirmed the European results. The main subjects of the tests were water absorption, drying (vapor permeability) and chloride-ion absorption. Water-repellant protection via integral (i.e. mixing with cement, aggregate, sand, and water) provides the most effective corrosion protection possible in freshly poured concrete, wherein all dimensions of the concrete are protected while at the same time leaves the concrete continuously surface breathable (vaporpermeable) and reduces (or suppresses) the chloride ion penetration.
References:
(1) SP, Swedish National Testing and Research Institute, Boras, Sweden.
(2) US Highway Research Program, Report 244-11, Maryland, US.
Although well known for its durability, concrete is subject to corrosion as a result of the onslaught of humidity and chloride-ion penetration, which does not only have a destructive impact on the concrete itself, but also on the reinforcement steel used to improve the tension of the structure. When rebar corrodes, the rust expands cracking the concrete, and unbonding the rebar from the concrete. The water in the pores of the cement is normally alkaline-and in such environment steel is passive and does not corrode. However, the carbon dioxide from the air reacts with the alkaline in the cement and makes the pore water more acidic. The acidity in combination with humidity leads to corrosion of the rebar – and the process is hastened by the presence of chloride ions.
All this destructive reactions require water. Hence, keeping the concrete dry is an important feature for concrete protection and maintenance. Bituminous coatings are reported to have limited durability and after a while the corrosion process will start due to its weak interfacial film failure that occurs overtime. The limited mechanic ability and penetrabili ty to protect the surface deeper from the concrete surface does not provide the protection needed due to attack of anions toward the passive steel in the concrete matrix. At the same time rendering bituminous coatings prone to adhesion failure, wherein durability is weakened by the elements over varying weather conditions.
Proven effectiveness of Silicon Emulsions
Water based silicon emulsions based on various types from siloxanes, and silane derivatives however, have been considered as the latest solution to contain corrosion. Tests conducted on the use of siloxane emulsions on roadwork applications such as tunnels and bridges by independent and authorized institutes in Germany and Sweden, have proved their efficiency. Recent tests for US highway applications according to National Cooperative Highway Research Program Report 244-11 have also confirmed the European results. The main subjects of the tests were water absorption, drying (vapor permeability) and chloride-ion absorption. Water-repellant protection via integral (i.e. mixing with cement, aggregate, sand, and water) provides the most effective corrosion protection possible in freshly poured concrete, wherein all dimensions of the concrete are protected while at the same time leaves the concrete continuously surface breathable (vaporpermeable) and reduces (or suppresses) the chloride ion penetration.
References:
(1) SP, Swedish National Testing and Research Institute, Boras, Sweden.
(2) US Highway Research Program, Report 244-11, Maryland, US.
Rehabilitated Concrete Structure
Featured Project
Projects consisting of unique concrete repairs, restructuring, and recoating processes specific to customers requirement according to cost and maintenance goal requirements.
Rehabilitated by AB Construction & Unlimited Concepts
La Perla #7 Tower Coronado Shores, Coronado, CA started Summer of 2009. The work performed repair of ledges due to concrete spalling caused by salt water moisture, process consists of removal of old coatings, patching, impregnating using CM2007 CI (w/ Corrosion Inhibitors), and application of CM Stain Blocking Primer and CM Elastomeric Coating.
La Perla #7 Tower Coronado Shores, Coronado, CA started Summer of 2009. The work performed repair of ledges due to concrete spalling caused by salt water moisture, process consists of removal of old coatings, patching, impregnating using CM2007 CI (w/ Corrosion Inhibitors), and application of CM Stain Blocking Primer and CM Elastomeric Coating.
Monday, January 3, 2011
It's a New Year
I would first like to thank all of our continued customers. If I have not met with you individually yet, I am truly looking forward to the opportunity as well as building a strong and lasting relationship with you. Along with providing the highest quality products and the customer support you deserve, we can enhance all of your already exceptional products to be more sustainable with total care for the environment.
If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you. If there is anything you need that I can provide or help you with, please contact me at wmerchant@imrae.com or go to my e-mail in my complete profile.
If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you. If there is anything you need that I can provide or help you with, please contact me at wmerchant@imrae.com or go to my e-mail in my complete profile.
wishing you a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year!
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