DCI® S Corrosion Inhibitor chemically inhibits the corrosive action of chlorides on reinforcing steel and prestressed strands in concrete. It has been formulated to provide set time characteristics similar to untreated concrete at 22°C. DCI® S is a liquid added to concrete during the batching process. One litre of DCI® S weighs approximately 1.28kg ± 0.02kg and contains a minimum of 30% calcium nitrite. DCI® S complies to AS 1478.1 as a Type AC.
DCI® S is recommended for all steel-reinforced, post-tensioned and prestressed concrete that will come in contact with chlorides from deicing salts or a marine environment. Examples are chloride contaminated soil, support structures, bridge decks, prestressed members, and structures in marine environments. It may also be used in concrete where chlorides are added during manufacture.
Corrosion occurs in the presence of oxygen, moisture, and an electrolyte. As chlorides attack the reinforcing steel, the salt intensifies the electrolyte properties of concrete, thereby creating a corrosion cell. As the corrosion reaction occurs, rust is formed. It migrates away from the reinforcing bar, leaving more iron to be corroded. This process continues and two situations develop:
DCI® S Corrosion Inhibitor is a system containing calcium nitrite which interacts with the embedded steel in concrete to prevent salt attack. By chemically reacting with the reinforcing, a barrier is formed which prevents chloride penetration. Corrosion initiation is delayed and corrosion rates are kept under control. Once corrosion has been inhibited, physical disruption of the concrete due to rust formation will not occur.
When added to concrete in sufficient quantity as determined by the anticipated chloride ion content of the concrete over the design life of the structure, DCI® S maintains an active corrosion-controlling system within the concrete matrix.
Recommended addition rates range from 5 to 30L / m3. The level of corrosion protection increases in proportion to the dosage. The project specification will indicate the addition rate. In the absence of a specified dosage, or where needed to offset premixed chlorides, call your local GCP representative.
Mix water adjustment is essential to account for the water in DCI® S and thus maintain the desired water-cement ratio. The mix water added at the batch plant must therefore be reduced to compensate for the addition of the corrosion inhibitor. One litre of DCI® S contains 0.84kg (0.84L) of water. A high-range water reducer such as ADVA® may be used to maintain workability in low water-cement ratio concrete.
DCI® S Corrosion Inhibitor can be used in concrete with other admixtures, including air-entraining admixtures, water reducers, superplasticisers, set-retarders, pozzolans and microsilica, without impeding their performance. Each admixture must be added separately. Individually added, each will deliver exactly the results desired.
DCI® S is a neutral-set corrosion inhibitor formulated not to affect concrete setting times at or below 22°C, which may also aggravate slump loss. In some cases, environmental conditions may require the addition of an accelerator or a retarder. In these cases, DARASET®, a non-chloride accelerator, or a retarder such as DARATARD® 17, both from GCP Applied Technologies, may be added separately to the concrete mix.
DCI® S Corrosion Inhibitor at the normal addition rates may moderately reduce the entrained air content. It may be necessary to increase the dosage of the air-entraining admixture to compensate. Project specifications for DCI® S generally will show requirements of 6½ ± 1½% in the plastic or fresh concrete.
DCI® S Corrosion Inhibitor is compatible with all types of portland cement, and concretes containing pozzolans. However, due to the significant variation between cements, there may be differences in response to DCI® S. This is especially true with respect to the effect on setting time, which also influences slump retention.
It is strongly recommended that trial mixes be made several weeks before construction start up. This will allow the concrete producer an opportunity to determine the proper batching sequence and amounts of other admixtures needed in order to deliver the required concrete mix to the job-site. Due to the cement response variation it is vital that set time and slump retention of the proposed mix be thoroughly tested and evaluated in the light of job requirements. GCP’s broad experience with this product can help the concrete producer deliver satisfactory product regardless of the mixture proportions. Contact your local GCP representative for help with trial mixes.
Concrete containing DCI® S Corrosion Inhibitor finishes with standard tools and techniques. It is no different from any other air-entrained, low water-cement ratio mix in terms of finishability. Curing procedures must follow ACI 302 and ACI 308.
DCI® S Corrosion Inhibitor is available in bulk quantities by GCP Applied Technologies metered systems, or in 208L drums.
Please contact your local GCP representative for further information regarding the dispensing equipment for this product.
DCI® S freezes at approximately -15°C, but its corrosion inhibition and strength gain properties are completely restored by thawing and thorough agitation.
See DCI® S Material Safety Data Sheet or consult GCP Applied Technologies.
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We hope the information here will be helpful. It is based on data and knowledge considered to be true and accurate, and is offered for consideration, investigation and verification by the user, but we do not warrant the results to be obtained. Please read all statements, recommendations, and suggestions in conjunction with our conditions of sale, which apply to all goods supplied by us. No statement, recommendation, or suggestion is intended for any use that would infringe any patent, copyright, or other third party right.
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GCP Applied Technologies Inc., 2325 Lakeview Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30009, USA GCP Australia Pty. Ltd., 14 Colebard Street West, Archerfield, Brisbane, Queensland 4108, Australia This document is only current as of the last updated date stated below and is valid only for use in Australia. It is important that you always refer to the currently available information at the URL below to provide the most current product information at the time of use. Additional literature such as Contractor Manuals, Technical Bulletins, Detail Drawings and detailing recommendations and other relevant documents are also available on www.gcpat.com.au. Information found on other websites must not be relied upon, as they may not be up-to-date or applicable to the conditions in your location and we do not accept any responsibility for their content. If there are any conflicts or if you need more information, please contact GCP Customer Service.
Last Updated: 2023-07-06
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