By: Ben Rowland, Induron Protective Coatings Technical Service Director
Induron Coatings, an industrial pioneer of high-performance protective coatings for ductile iron sewer linings, water/wastewater treatment facilities and potable water storage, is broadening its offerings with an innovative approach to concrete repair.
What is Mortarchem?
Mortarchem is a high-performance epoxy modified cementitious surface and repair mortar used to restore deteriorated masonry substrates prior to application of chemical resistant topcoats.
“We realized a need for a new, improved and easy-to-use epoxy mortar,” said Andy Ordorzynski, Induron National Sales Manager. “Mortarchem’s user-friendliness is unmatched. It’s one of those products that seems too good to be true until you apply it yourself.”
When applied as a parge coat over properly prepared new concrete, Mortarchem fills bug holes, seals pores and mitigates outgassing. Proprietary technology, including a unique ceramic modification package, makes Mortarchem simple to use. Mortarchem can be top coated with most Induron high-performance epoxies for use in most atmospheric and immersion exposures.
“At Induron, our goal is to provide innovative technology to solve problems for our customers,” said Davies Hood, Induron President. “Sometimes this means producing a new product for a specific need in the marketplace. Mortarchem is an excellent addition that meets a very real need.”
Cementitious epoxy mortars are a vital step in most concrete lining projects, but the existing products available are fraught with problems and difficult application. Mortarchem represents the next generation. Mortarchem was designed to simplify the application process while delivering better performance and improved production.
Induron applied Mortarchem side-by-side with competitive products to show how superior attributes like viscosity, workability, material weight and film build work to make Mortarchem second to none.
These features result in 3 key benefits:
Simplified Application
Mortarchem, packaged in a single container, simplifies the application process right from the start. With all 3 components conveniently contained within the same package, there is no confusion or time lost searching for misplaced or mismatched components. The viscosity of the mixed product has a significant application advantage versus the competition, in part, because the ceramic microspheres, which make up a portion of the pigment package, aid viscosity by both their weight and shape.
Improved Application Production
Of course, a simplified application yields better production. Oftentimes, mortar resurfacing projects will require a significant amount of material. Mortarchem, weighing approximately half that of competitive products, makes moving the product around the job site easier and safer. Once applied, small imperfections, such as fins, are easier to sand or stone off in order to achieve the desired smoothness for a successful coating installation.
Better Performance
Long-term performance is often the result of better application. That being said, Induron developed Mortarchem to spray, trowel and finish, smoother and more efficient than other products. In doing so, we’ve created a product that will provide the optimal masonry substrate for application of high-performance protective coatings.