Concrete protective liners are generally formed plastic sheets or inserts that cover concrete surfaces to protect them from damage. They can be made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), or polypropylene and are fused or welded at the seams. These liners are a cost-effective method of protecting concrete structures, like storage tanks.
Protective liners can be used to protect various concrete structures, including
- Storage tanks
- Culverts and tunnels
- Sewer and water treatment
- Sumps
- Storage pads
- Concrete piping
- Secondary containment walls
- Manholes
They come in a variety of thicknesses, depending on the needs of the application; at US FUSION, we offer concrete protective liners in thicknesses ranging from 2.0mm to 12.0mm
6 Benefits of Concrete Protective Liners
But what are the benefits of protective liners for concrete structures? Here are six of the crucial benefits that concrete protective liners offer to industrial construction projects.
1. Protection from Mechanical Damage
Concrete, though a strong, durable material, is prone to fracturing and chipping. If you’ve ever dropped a hammer on a concrete shop floor, you know what we mean. The crystalline structure of concrete makes it unable to bend or flex when it receives an impact, but the polymer structure of plastic liners gives them greater flexibility, allowing them to bend without catastrophically breaking or chipping.
2. Protection from Corrosion Damage
Concrete can be corroded by a variety of substances present in the environment, including microbes, salty or acidic water, chlorides, sulfates, sulfides, slag and industrial waste, and more. Increasing the lifespan of concrete structures necessitates preventing this damage. A protective liner in a corrosion-resistant material like HDPE or PVDF (like Teflon) will shield the concrete from these corrosive, damaging substances.
3. Minimal Lateral Movement
Concrete protective liners have minimal lateral movement, which is necessary for ensuring the protection of the concrete structure and maintaining a leak-proof seal.
4. Resists UV Degradation
HDPE and other plastics used for concrete protective liners can be made with different additives, depending on the desired performance characteristics. This includes UV resistance, which can be incredibly useful for protective liners that will be exposed to the elements.
5. Cost Effective
Other options for concrete protection include epoxy resins, polyurethane resins, rubber emulsions, silicons, and cement coatings. These other options, however, have their drawbacks — one of which is price.
Generally speaking, an HDPE protective liner will have a lower price point for large civil, municipal, and industrial concrete protection needs.
6. Can Be Pre-Fabricated
Most methods of concrete protection are either substances with which the concrete is impregnated at the time of mixing or pouring or coatings or sealants applied to the concrete. Concrete protective liners, on the other hand, are a separate product placed over the concrete being protected. Rather than having to apply a coating to the concrete — which can be a lengthy process, requiring certain weather conditions — protective liners can be pre-fabricated off-site and then delivered ready to install.
Get Expert Concrete Protective Liner Installation From US FUSION
HDPE-embed protective liners provide concrete protection from mechanical damage and corrosive environments in various industrial, municipal, and civil applications, such as concrete storage tank protection. US FUSION also provides and installs PVDF, polypropylene, and PVC concrete protective liners. Learn more about our offerings here, or download our Concrete Protective Liners brochure.
