Corrosion

What is corrosion?

Materials used in the concrete mixture affect the moulds, resulting in rust and stains from the mould onto the concrete. This not only results in concrete stains but will also have a negative influence on your finished product by decreasing its surface strength. 

What are the causes?

Often times, initial corrosion is ignored and continues to affect the overall manufacturing process, resulting in bad quality concrete. It is therefor important that the problem is resolved as soon as possible. 

The quality of the materials used to produce the moulds play an important role in the rate of corrosion. Low quality moulds speed up the process, which means you have to pay extra costs to restor the moulds to perfect condition. Materials such as aluminum or stainless steel are recommended.

Nevertheless there are some other factors that can influence corroding. Chemicals used in the concrete mixture can affect or damage the surface of the moulds if not cleaned properly.

In some cases it has been proven that the environment can influence the corrosion. Areas with a higher concentration of iron particles in the air or water f.e. near railways are more susceptible to corrosion. 

  • Use high quality materials for the moulds
  • Do not ignore initial corrosion
  • Protect the moulds when not used
  • Avoid aggressive chemicals that have an influence on the materials of the moulds
  • Use a release agent developed for this specific problem to control corroding