…up to 1000 times* longer
One of the essential qualities of Ductal® is its durability. When compared to traditional concrete, this ultra-high performance concrete offers a superior capacity to resist aging and aggressive environments One of the reasons for this is its denser matrix which is free of defects at the macro and micro level, allowing it to resist the forces of nature far longer that other technologies.
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Superior durability and resistance to aggressive environements
Ductal®'s extremely low permeability is 1/10th of high quality granite. Therefore, water (the main vehicle of aggressive agents) cannot penetrate the concrete matrix. This characteristic offers excellent resistance not only to the harmful effects of the freeze/thaw cycle, but also to the exposure of sea water (penetration by chlorides), sulfates, weak acids and carbonation.
A "self-healing" material
Ductal®'s steel reinforcing micro fibers are protected against corrosion and oxidation by its extremely low porosity. More than that, when damaged, Ductal® can "regenerate": Independent laboratory tests have validated that on a structural level, micro-fissures are automatically resealed over time due to Ductal®'s "self-healing" properties, which uses the humidity in the surrounding air to further hydrate the matrix. Ductal® is therefore able to preserve its initial qualities without lowering its mechanical performance, even in an aggressive environment.
Its capacity to resist impact and abrasion (comparable to that of materials such as granite) make it last even longer. As a benchmark, tests have shown Ductal® to be 100 times (*to even 1000 times, depending on the criteria) more durable than a traditional concrete.
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