SURTREAT: The Scientific Approach to Concrete Repair, Strengthening, and Protection

Written By Guillermo

By J Frank Jad

Engineering Beyond Surface Fixes

Most “repairs” in the concrete industry are cosmetic. They patch, paint, or overlay—but they rarely address the root cause: deterioration at the chemical, electrochemical, and microstructural level.
SURTREAT Technologies takes a fundamentally different path—a scientific approach based on measurable concrete chemistry and corrosion science.

1. The Science Behind the System

Concrete is not inert—it is a dynamic, porous, ion-exchange system. When chlorides, carbon dioxide, or moisture infiltrate, they change the internal chemistry and drive corrosion of embedded steel.
SURTREAT solutions—such as TPS II, TPS XII, and SurCoShield—are surface-applied, deeply reactive formulations that work by:

  • Ion-Exchange Densification: Replacing mobile alkalis and chlorides with stabilizing silicate complexes that densify and reactivate hydration.

  • Corrosion Current Reduction: Creating chemical environments that suppress anodic and cathodic reactions, lowering corrosion rate by up to 80%.

  • Hydration Reactivation: Re-engaging unhydrated cement particles to restore bond strength and increase compressive strength 25–40% in situ.

  • Permeability Control: Forming internal crystalline and polymeric networks that block ingress of water, salts, and gases while maintaining vapor permeability.

These effects are not anecdotal—they are measured, repeatable, and verified through laboratory and field testing by NASA, CERL, NAVFAC, and USACE.

2. The Engineering Advantage

Because SURTREAT products penetrate and chemically alter the substrate rather than coating over it, they:

  • Extend Service Life: Structures treated with SURTREAT show up to 10× reduction in corrosion rate compared to untreated controls.

  • Preserve Structural Capacity: Strength gain and corrosion suppression restore the designed performance of concrete and rebar systems.

  • Integrate Seamlessly with Other Technologies: SURTREAT enhances adhesion and performance of FRP wraps, coatings, and repair mortars—creating a total protection system from the inside out.

  • Reduce Life-Cycle Costs: Scientific prevention and stabilization eliminate repeated maintenance cycles, offering lowest cost per year of service life.

3. The Difference: Science, Not Guesswork

Traditional repair programs often fail because they treat symptoms: patch the spall, repaint the surface, repeat in 5 years. SURTREAT engineers start by diagnosing electrical potential, corrosion rate, chloride concentration, and microstructure—then applying chemistry targeted to the specific mechanism of deterioration.

This scientific method produces predictable, verifiable outcomes, aligning perfectly with modern QA/QC, ASTM, and UFGS standards for durability and sustainability.

4. Proven. Documented. Enduring.

From bridges and dams to parking structures, tunnels, and waterfront facilities, SURTREAT systems have been field-proven for over 30 years. They meet or exceed performance specifications set by the U.S. military and NASA, and they continue to advance through ongoing research and field validation.

Conclusion: Concrete Care Rooted in Science

SURTREAT is not a coating line—it’s a methodology grounded in chemistry, electrochemistry, and materials science. It transforms how we think about repair, moving from temporary patchwork to permanent rehabilitation.

SURTREAT = Diagnose, React, Verify.
The Scientific Approach to Concrete Durability.

Guillermo
Next

To the MAX