Drivers may have fewer potholes to dodge, and local governments may be able to save money, thanks to XIAMETER® brand silanes for concrete formulators that can help repel water and protect highway infrastructure from weather damage.
"Harsh weather wreaks havoc on roads and bridges, which can lead to dangerous driving conditions," said Norm Kanar, XIAMETER® global product market manager. "In addition, increased maintenance costs can be a drain on severely strained state and local budgets."
The freeze-thaw cycles in winter allow water to penetrate the concrete road surfaces. When that water freezes, it expands, which creates pressure that causes the concrete to crack, resulting in hazardous potholes. On top of that, the seeping water often carries deicing salts with it, which can cause or accelerate corrosion of steel reinforcing bars, compromising the integrity of the infrastructure.
XIAMETER® brand silanes can offer water repellent properties to concrete when applied as a penetrating treatment. Silane molecules are small and reactive, and work at a microscopic level by penetrating into and bonding to the concrete. Once applied, the layer of silane, which even in high-strength concrete can be up to 4-5 millimeters thick, creates an umbrella of protection that keeps water out.
"Using silanes as a penetrating treatment in concrete is one way to help keep roads safer and longer lasting," Kanar said. "The XIAMETER® brand provides a convenient, proven and cost-effective way to get the right products to help prevent weather damage from occurring in the first place, so that local governments can spend less money repairing infrastructure."
Source: http://www.dowcorning.com/