The Environmentally Responsible Choice
Who Am I? A Day In The Life Of...
Snow. Ice. Cold.
The harsh weather conditions are relentless, howling winds that whip up as the vehicles cross the bridge over the ocean blowing the wintry conditions around and making it difficult to see straight on the road. I’m used to it – no big deal. They do their best to counteract the stormy weather, with trucks full of de-icing salts trundling along the roads spreading salt across the top in a valiant effort to improve conditions. I’m used to it – no big deal.
Two days later the sun is shining, the weather has warmed and the freeze-thaw cycle begins, causing the concrete to lift which ultimately leads to cracks. I’m used to it – no big deal. The deicing salts can still be clearly seen in the whitish surface of the roads and the salt air from the ocean below is a constant, mixing with the humidity to seep into every crack, every fissure and surface possible. I’m used to it – no big deal.
Who am I? I’m the bridge rebar, powder coated with Pureflex, and corrosion protection is the name of my game.
It’s been an interesting journey; from scrap car to super hero status, ensuring the integrity of our bridges, roads and buildings, and nobody even sees me. As a scrap car, I was melted down, mixed with other elements to produce the very specific performance properties needed for my next role. I was formed into a variety of bar dimensions and cut into 60’ lengths and placed into stock. Then someone made a really smart decision.
I was placed on a truck and sent to an Fusion Bonded Epoxy coating shop. And that’s where the fun started.
I was steel shot blasted, heated to 450F and then the ultimate body armor – Pureflex fusion bonded epoxy - was applied to me. Like any super hero, I then went through the mill a little. I was stretched, bent and re-formed until finally, I was ready to be encased in concrete. And here I am. I’ll be around for 75 – 100 years, providing exceptional strength to this bridge, with my Pureflex body armor preventing my steel core from oxidizing under a variety of extreme conditions.
A day in the life of Pureflex coated rebar. Sun, salt, snow, ice, wind, impact. I’m used to it – no big deal.