January 2015, Vol. 70, No. 1
Rehabilitation
Quadex Introduces Advanced Geopolymer Repair Mortar
Quadex has introduced GeoKrete, an advanced geopolymer repair mortar synthesized mostly of recycled industrial byproducts, enhanced with mono crystalline quartz aggregate that yields a strong, quick-setting repair mortar with exceptional chemical resistance.
“GeoKrete is the industry’s most advanced geopolymer repair mortar,” said Neil Wisener, Quadex owner and the product’s developer. “It has far greater chemical resistance than any cementitious-like product in the trenchless industry, making it ideal for sewer restoration.”
Wisener believes GeoKrete will be an industry “game changer” for rehabilitating corrosively deteriorated manholes, pipes and other underground structures. Because it is made with recycled products, it qualifies for LEED credits as a green construction product, he added.
Depending on project requirements, it can be applied in one pass as much as three inches thick on horizontal pipes or vertical cylinder surfaces by low-pressure spraying or centrifugal spinning.
GeoKrete is available from Quadex’s network of certified installers who have the specialized equipment and training required to rehabilitate old and damaged wastewater structures.
Wisener describes GeoKrete as a factory blended, fiber reinforced, cementitious-like repair mortar synthesized from pozzolanic materials comprised mostly of recycled fly ash industrial byproducts, enhanced with a mono crystalline quartz aggregate. It is specifically designed to provide extraordinary corrosion resistant protection in high hydrogen sulfide environments, add superior structural integrity and stop the infiltration of groundwater.
Promising results
Calcium aluminate cements have been widely considered the best corrosion-resistant repair mortar available. However, tests document GeoKrete is superior, Wisener said.
“During a standard eight-week ASTM C267 test,” he continued, “GeoKrete exhibited less than 1.5 percent mass loss when exposed to a simulated hyper corrosive sewer environment submerged in a sulfuric acid bath with a pH of 1.0. That is more than 80 percent less than what pure fused calcium aluminate cements experience.
“In over a year of field testing in the worst corrosion that attacks manholes in several states, GeoKrete has shown no signs of attack where calcium aluminate and anti-microbial products have experienced attack.”
Severely-deteriorated manholes in Ruston and Shreveport, LA, designated by city officials as among the cities’ “worst,” were treated with GeoKrete and are being monitored by Louisiana Tech University’s Trenchless Technology Center.
“Since being lined with GeoKrete,” Wisener said, “they show no signs of attack.”
Geopolymers are growing in acceptance for underground rehabilitation because of their stronger physical properties, non-shrinking polymerization cure process, and faster set times which allow critical infrastructure to be returned to service in 24 hours, said Wisener.
“Geopolymers,” he explained, “cure via polymerization instead of hydration and thus use less water. Less water in any cementitious product translates to less shrinkage that can plague traditional Portland and calcium aluminate concretes.
“In addition, GeoKrete’s binder materials are comprised almost 90 percent of recycled materials which significantly reduces harmful greenhouse gases typically created in the production of Portland or calcium aluminate based products which have some of the most notoriously large carbon footprints in the world.”
Quadex was founded in 1991 and is a respected name in the protective coatings and linings sector for rehabilitation of wastewater systems. In addition to GeoKrete, Quadex offers a complete line of cementitious and epoxy lining products to restore the structural integrity of manholes, wet wells, pumping stations, pipes and other severe-duty and storm and wastewater structures.
Quadex is based in North Little Rock, AR.
After GeoKrete was applied
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Quadex, (501) 758-8628, www.quadexonline.com
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