Ready-mixed concrete trucks are equipped with a rotating mixing drum mounted on the truck chassis. During loading, transport, and delivery to the construction site, the mixing drum is constantly rotated to prevent concrete hardening within the drum. The simple truth of the matter is, once the last of the concrete trickles out of the drum or dribbles out of the pump, the truck isn’t empty. A small amount of concrete always remains inside the truck, especially in drum mixers. You can wash the truck out, run water through the drum while it rotates and even pressure-wash the inside. But some concrete is always left. And it dries. The next trip a little more is left. And it dries. Over time, this becomes a problem, reducing the volume of the mixer and its capacity.
The cleaning of the mixing drums becomes necessary as the drum interior becomes coated with hardened concrete. Workers are required to enter the mixing drums periodically to remove the hardened concrete. This cleaning operation presents many challenges to the workers including confined space, hazardous energy, respiratory hazards, and noise, all of which require the employer to implement comprehensive programs to address each situation.
Synpro’s Fusion is one of the best ways to clean, maintain and reduce the costs of cleaning the interior of the drum. Fusion is a revolutionary anti-stick chemical designed specifically for the ready mix market to help eliminate the need for costly and dangerous drum chipping. After a 15 minute application process, Fusion bonds with the metal or poly-composite drum to create a surface impenetrable by water for up to 3 months of regular operations. The result is a surface that concrete cannot adhere to for up to 2,000 yards of concrete, at which time you simply make another Fusion application. Fusion has 100 times the anti-stick properties of Teflon allowing for quicker cleaning times and more capacity to hold concrete. Fusion will not interfere with compaction test results and is 100% safe for all pours, including D.O.T. pours.
Customers will be able to order new mixers from certain OEMs pre-treated at the factory with Fusion. When it’s time for a new application, producers simply re-apply on site. Fusion can be sprayed, mopped or sponged on while inside the drum or applied without entering the drum. No mixing, heating or special drying equipment is needed.