More than three decades after developing MCI® (Migrating Corrosion Inhibitor™) technology, global corrosion solutions provider Cortec® Corporation is pointing engineers and contractors back to MCI® as an important key to preserving historic structures built in the Brutalist architectural style. Popular in the 1950s-70s, Brutalist structures face normal aging concerns along with the common disadvantages of highly porous concrete and shallow rebar cover, conditions that speed up corrosion in aging concrete structures. MCI® offers engineers and contractors the chance to slow corrosion without altering the appearance of these historical structures.
Credit: Cortec® Corporation
Brutalist modern concrete architecture in Zurich, Switzerland, black and white
Brutalist concrete interior structure with curved patterns in Sihlcity Zurich
MCI® can be applied to existing concrete structures during repair and maintenance. These corrosion inhibitors migrate through concrete pore structures to form a protective molecular layer on reinforcing steel, helping delay the onset of corrosion and slow its progression. Products like MCI®-2018 and MCI®-2019 offer dual water repellency + surface-applied corrosion inhibitors (SACIs), allowing contractors to add a protective boost to routine water repellent application once a decade (or as needed). Application of these surface-applied products on Brutalist structures is especially easy due to the style’s typical lack of exterior ornamentation. “The raw exposed concrete look helps in easing the application as there is no need to remove any cladding or paint in the preparation stage,” Ashraf Hasania, Technical Sales and Product Manager, explained.
Cortec® also offers repair stage solutions like CorrVerter® MCI® Rust Primer, MCI® Mini Grenades, and MCI®-2020 for situations where corrosion is present, surface prep options are limited, and materials must match the original concrete as closely as possible. Among the many cultural heritage projects where MCI® has been used, the following Brutalist structural repairs stand out:
1. Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland: CorrVerter® MCI® was used to passivate corroded rebar above the education building entrance, while MCI®-2020 was used to inconspicuously protect the decorative entrance from further corrosion and extend the service life of the repair.
2. New York Hall of Science: Repair work on the shallow cast-in-place concrete façade of this unique structure included application of MCI®-2020 and a water repellent. Monitoring subsequently confirmed effective corrosion protection.
The threat of corrosion is a brutal reality for all reinforced concrete—not less so for Brutalist structures. With MCI® as a time-tested technology that reduces corrosion rates without changing appearance, it is an excellent tool for contractors or engineers involved in preserving Brutalist structures. Visit cortecmci.com to learn more about MCI® and to discuss your current project with an MCI® rep.