The Emirates Steel in Abu Dhabi specified Penetron crystalline technology to seal leaks and cracks in the factory water tanks. The expertise of the Penetron team in UAE and the reliability of Penetron products ensured a successful outcome for the June 2018 completion date.
Once a simple re-roller of imported steel billets, Emirates Steel has become an integrated manufacturing plant, utilizing the most modern rolling mill technology to manufacture rebar, wire rod, heavy sections and other finished steel products. The company is owned by SENAAT, the UAE’s largest industrial conglomerate and key driver of the government’s industrial diversification roadmap.
Earlier this year, Penetron UAE – Sealed Insulating Materials LLC (SIM), the official Penetron representative for the UAE, was called to the Emirates Steel factory just outside Abu Dhabi to assist in the repair of leaking water tanks. The water stored in these tanks is used to cool down a steel furnace, which reaches extremely high forging temperatures during operation.
Better than Polyurethane Foam
At that time, SIM successfully repaired the cracks on the outside of the concrete tanks with an application of Penetron crystalline material. Based on this success – and the reliability of the Penetron technology – the SIM experts were invited back to the Emirates Steel factory to take the repairs – on both water tanks – a step further. Previously, a polyurethane foam had been injected into the tank in an attempt to seal the leaks. However, the polyurethane foam quickly failed and had to be removed.
“Applied in slurry form, PENETRON is an excellent solution for waterproofing, and it provides comprehensive protection for concrete structures,” explains Jozef Van Beeck, Director, International Sales & Marketing of The Penetron Group. “Once it’s applied to the whole surface, the crystalline technology penetrates into the concrete matrix to successively block any moisture penetration.”
Using a Range of Crystalline Products
The water tanks were emptied before the inside surface could be treated to ensure a durable solution. Once the tanks were emptied, all active leaks were sealed with hand-applied plugs of quick-acting PENEPLUG; any visible cracks in the concrete were cleaned out and filled with PENECRETE MORTAR. Finally, PENETRON slurry was prepared and topically applied to the inside surfaces of the tanks. Penetron products were also used to waterproof the nearby factory retaining walls and the foundation slab.
“Once the SIM team completed the work, we tested the results and were happy to report a successful result to the customer,” says Mr. Van Beeck. “Even in the aggressive environment of the concrete tanks, they will remain durable – and leak-proof – for decades to come.”
Sealing leaks & cracks: The Sealed Insulating Materials team helped repair water tanks at the Emirates Steel factory in Abu Dhabi. Penetron crystalline materials were used to solve the problems.
Local UAE expertise: After an initial treatment with PENEPLUG and PENECRETE MORTAR, PENETRON was applied as a slurry to the surface of the previously leaky water tank at the Emirates Steel factory.
Integral crystalline formation: The treated surface of the Emirates Steel factory water tank shows the PENETRON slurry penetrating into the concrete matrix to successively block any future leaks.
