Concrete has a natural degree of strength and hardness, which is what makes it one of the most popular paving materials around. Yet, as time goes on, the concrete may still suffer from crumbling, cracks, and other forms of damage. Load-bearing concrete stands an even greater chance of suffering premature degradation. In order to boost the strength of concrete, contractors often bolster the slab with steel reinforcing bars, or rebar for short. There are a few different types of rebar out there with each possessing a unique set of advantages. Here are four key things to know about one of the most popular varieties of rebar: epoxy-coated rebar.
The effectiveness of epoxy-coated rebar depends on the integrity of the epoxy layer. If the epoxy becomes chipped, torn, or otherwise damaged, then the underlying steel becomes exposed. Even a tiny portion of damage allows corrosion to set in. Once rust has begun forming, it works its way under the remaining epoxy and may undermine the coating. For this reason, contractors must exert care when transporting and installing epoxy-coated rebar. Likewise, contractors must show care regarding where and in what conditions the rebar is stored. The epoxy coating remains quite vulnerable to ultraviolet light and will quickly degrade when left exposed too long to UV light. Due to that fact, all epoxy-coated rebar outdoors should always cover it with a UV-impermeable tarp or other form of protection. Another important factor involves installation temperature. Handling epoxy-coated rebar in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit can cause the epoxy coating to crack. Ensure you have the best epoxy rebar coating when you turn to Delta Polymers.
The most basic and inexpensive form of rebar consists of simple steel bars. While effective at boosting internal strength, plain steel rebar often falls prey to corrosive forces as times goes on. As rust forms on outside of the embedded rebar, it exerts an increasing amount of pressure on the surrounding concrete. Internal pressure can cause the concrete slab to spontaneously crack, while also making the concrete more vulnerable to damage caused by blows and compressive forces. The surface of the concrete may develop patches of spalling, which creates rough, unattractive areas as the concrete chips and flakes away.
However, when you properly apply epoxy-coated rebar, it prevents corrosion and many of its onset problems. Typically, manufacturers cover the entire bar of rebar in a coating of epoxy. This water-impermeable layer minimizes the chances that corrosion will take hold of the rebar. Get dependable epoxy-coating for rebar when you turn to Delta Polymers.
When correctly handled and installed, epoxy-coated rebar can benefit a wide variety of different concrete projects. The corrosion-resistance of epoxy-coated rebar makes it especially useful for structures located in marine and water environments, as well as for structures that regularly receive applications of deicing salts.
For example, parking decks in the United States suffer roughly 600 million dollars worth of damage every year as the result of deicing salts. The use of epoxy-coated rebar in such structures can greatly reduce the cost of future repairs.
To ensure long-term viability, workers need to inspect every piece of rebar before placing it in a reinforcing framework. While this process can be somewhat time consuming, there is a key positive to take away and that is that contractors can often repair any piece of rebar whose epoxy coating has suffered damage. A contractor repairs epoxy-coated rebar using an appropriate patching material. The most common repair material involves a two-part epoxy coating, which the worker paints onto the rebar. First, however, the worker must thoroughly remove any corrosion present on the damaged area.
Epoxy coated rebar is used to strengthen concrete and protect against corrosion. It is a popular alternative to using conventional reinforcing bars and works by applying the epoxy coating to the steel prior to shipping. This ensures full corrosion resistance. Contact Delta Polymers today to learn more about our epoxy rebar coating and its applications. Check out our full selection of coatings available.
When you reach out, we can provide you with more information about epoxy rebar coating and our custom epoxy manufacturing capabilities. Other common types of epoxy manufacturing includes epoxy primer and hardeners.