Corrosion of steel rebars embedded in concrete has remained one of the major concerns facing reinforced concrete structures in the Arabian Gulf, reducing the durability of structures and resulting in a marked increase in maintenance costs.

Specialised Industries of the UAE claims that its products – Ipanex and Formtex – can offer solutions that will help reduce corrosion, and substantially increase the durability of concrete reinforced structures.
“Corrosion can only occur when the concrete around the rebars is either contaminated with sufficient quantities of chlorides or has become carbonated by the penetration of carbon dioxide through the concrete cover,” says a company spokesman.
He continues: “In addition, there must be sufficient oxygen and moisture for corrosion to occur.
“The company’s waterproofing admixture, Ipanex and its controlled permeability formwork (CPF) liner Formtex, can help improve on durability by making the concrete cover denser and more resistant to chlorides, carbon dioxide, water and oxygen.

Ipanex
“Ipanex – a liquid admixture that is added to concrete at the time of batching, causes a significant reduction in the penetration of water into concrete as per DIN 1048 or similar tests to as low as zero and also causes a significant reduction in chloride penetration (AASHTO T259).
“Ipanex, which is manufactured in the US, is approved for use in concrete in contact with potable water (NSF International), and as a result has been applied extensively in water tanks and reservoirs throughout the world including the Arabian Gulf.

Formtex
“This Danish liner can be glued or tensioned over formwork before the concrete is cast. Formtex helps in the controlled draining of excess water and air such that the water to cement ratio of the concrete cover is reduced significantly. This makes the cover much denser and more resistant to the ingress of chlorides, carbon dioxide and other damaging agents.
“The product has been certified by the British Board of Agreement Certificate for its effectiveness and its use results in a surface that is free of blowholes.

Strength in combination
“In particularly harsh environments and when the required service life of structures is in excess of a 100 years, Ipanex or Formtex may not be sufficient to get satisfactory results. In such cases, a combination of more than one product is necessary.
“Ipanex or Formtex can be used with a proven corrosion inhibitor such as Grace’s DCI-S Corrosion Inhibitor or alternately contractors can use stainless steel rebars. While these solutions are relatively expensive, they prove economical on a life-cycle-costing basis.
Established in 1977, Specialised Industries has grown steadily coinciding with the boom in the construction scene in the region and has been supplying products that play an essential part in the construction of strong, durable and maintenance-free structures.
Over the years, the company has forged alliances with some of the world’s leading manufacturers of construction products including WR Grace & Company, Ipa Systems, Xypex Chemical, Fullstop Technology, Getzner, Brent Chemicals, Fibertex, and ABC Fibers, among others.
Ever since its inception, the company has been improving the effectiveness and quality of its products and services. Specialised Industries takes the credit of being the first ever manufacturer of lightweight concrete blocks in the region in 1977. It was also the first to operate a reinforcing bar coating plant, using the Rust Purge process in 1985, and the first to introduce the concept of corrosion inhibitors for concrete in Middle East in the early 1990s,” the spokesman explains.
“For more than two-and-a-half decades we have been supplying the markets in the region with innovative, high quality, technically advanced and cost-effective construction products.
“The spirit of innovation is still alive and new products are constantly being introduced. Products are selected for their reliability, proven performance and value for money after careful evaluation of how fit they are for use in the Gulf.
“Whatever is the concrete durability problem and whatever is the budget, Specialised Industries has the solution for every problem. The company was founded with the aim of revolutionising the construction sector with innovative and effective products and we can very proudly say it has achieved its goals,” he adds.