How to Avoid SaltWater Corrosion Within Reinforced Concrete
Saltwater corrosion—commonly known as concrete cancer—has weakened reinforced concrete structures for decades. Repairs can cost millions, especially on bridges, wharves, and marine infrastructure. Fortunately, preventing concrete cancer is no longer a mystery. The key is understanding how corrosion starts and how to stop it before damage occurs.
Why Reinforced Concrete Corrodes
Corrosion of reinforcing steel is the leading cause of concrete deterioration worldwide. In harsh marine environments, some bridge piles and piers have failed in as little as ten years. The problem begins when chloride ions from saltwater migrate through the concrete and reach the embedded steel.
Concrete naturally provides an alkaline environment that forms a protective film around the steel. However, saltwater disrupts this film. As chloride and sulfate ions penetrate the concrete, they weaken the protective layer. Once the film breaks down, corrosion begins.
Because concrete is permeable, oxygen and moisture can easily reach the steel. As the steel corrodes, it expands, creating internal pressure. This expansion leads to cracking, delamination, and eventually spalling—classic symptoms of concrete cancer.
How to Stop Concrete Cancer Before It Starts
To prevent corrosion, you must stop water, oxygen, and chlorides from entering the concrete. This requires a deep, long‑lasting barrier within the substrate—not a surface coating that can wear away.
Tech‑Dry’s research team developed Solid Silane, a high‑performance penetrating sealer designed specifically for concrete in marine and high‑salt environments. Once applied, the silane cream reacts with the concrete, deeply impregnating the pores and creating a hydrophobic barrier that repels water and chloride ions.
Why Solid Silane Works
Solid Silane contains 80% n‑octyltriethoxysilane, a water‑based thixotropic cream with zero VOCs. Its thick, non‑drip consistency allows it to be applied to vertical and overhead surfaces without runoff—something traditional liquid silanes struggle with.
Because the cream remains on the surface long enough to fully absorb, a single coat typically achieves the same penetration depth as multiple coats of liquid silane. This makes it more efficient, more economical, and far safer for the environment.
Independent testing by Taywood Engineering and Victoria University of Technology confirms its effectiveness, and Solid Silane has already been used on major infrastructure projects including the Tsing Ma Bridge and Gateway Bridge.
