Cortec Corporation is pleased to announce a new addition to its line of concrete surface treatments. MCI®-2019 X is a 40% silane penetrating water repellent minus the typical Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors of MCI®-2019. The reason for not including MCI® is the same reason that Cortec® released MCI®-2018 X without MCI® in early 2024: some contractors need more options to adapt to specific project budgets and parameters. Here is a closer look at how MCI®-2019 X might fit into the picture.
Redundant or Complementary Protection
MCI®-2019 X provides water repellency by chemically reacting with the alkaline environment of concrete and creating a hydrophobic layer to reduce the ingress of water and other corrosives. This water repellency offers standalone benefit and is even better paired with a penetrating surface applied corrosion inhibitor (SACI). Historically, this combination has been available with MCI®-2018 and MCI®-2019, two silane water repellents that contain Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors. However, to get the highest concentration of SACIs on the market, users must opt for MCI®-2020, which contains a higher dose of MCI® without water repellent. While applying MCI®-2020 with either MCI®-2018 or MCI®-2019 on top would provide enhanced protection due to the presence of MCI® in both products, some contractors may prefer to apply just a water repellent on top of MCI®-2020 due to budget limitations or other project parameters. For cases like these, MCI®-2018 X and MCI®-2019 X are excellent alternatives to adapt to project needs.
Is 100% or 40% Silane Better?
But why would someone choose MCI®-2019 X over MCI®-2018 X? The answer, again, goes back to project and budget needs. Using a 40% silane water repellent is naturally more budget friendly than a 100% silane water repellent because of the lower concentration of a commodity in high demand. Yet that is not the only advantage. Contractors applying water repellent to previously treated concrete surfaces must think about ensuring good penetration and compatibility. This usually requires the thorough removal of water repellent residue before another product can be applied. However, MCI®-2019 X is one water repellent that may be applied over residue from previously worn-off treatments, thus replenishing the water repellency that the concrete has lost. This low-labor benefit is especially helpful in maintenance applications where a water repellent is reapplied every 5 to 10 years.
Slippage and Appearance
As a silane water repellent, MCI®-2019 X is a good choice for concrete structures where slippage is a concern. Since silane molecules are so small, they tend to penetrate deeper than other types of water repellents, making them less likely to cause water puddling or slippage. They also do not darken or change the appearance of concrete, an ideal characteristic for protecting historical structures.
More Flexibility for Contractors
With this new addition to Cortec’s MCI® portfolio, contractors have greater flexibility to tailor a surface protection system to their concrete repair or maintenance project. Whether they want a two-in-one MCI® water repellent (MCI®-2019), a doubled-up protection system of SACI + SACI water repellent (MCI®-2020 plus MCI®-2019), a simple water repellent (MCI®-2019 X) on top of high concentration SACI (MCI®-2020), or a 40% silane water repellent (MCI®-2019 X) alone, contractors can make their pick on what seems to be the best choice for their jobs.
