The Province of Alberta, Canada, through its Ministry of Transportation (Alberta Transportation), has recently updated its Bridge Structure Design Criteria Version 7.0 (BSDC) to reflect that ASTM A1035 corrosion resistant reinforcing (CRR) steel manufactured by MMFX Steel or solid stainless steel are the only two acceptable reinforcing steel technologies for use in Exposure Class 2 bridges in Alberta. The action taken by Alberta Transportation is based on the knowledge that MMFX2 (ASTM A1035) and solid stainless steel "…provide a substantial reduction in life cycle and user costs with minimal impact on overall construction costs," as stated in Appendix C of the BSDC.

Uncoated, corrosion-resistant reinforcing steel, such as MMFX2 (ASTM A1035), has been independently tested and proven to be five times more corrosion resistant than conventional steels and provides superior corrosion protection in aggressive environments over traditional solutions such as epoxy coated rebar (ECR). As noted by Alberta Transportation, "The National Research Council of Canada (NRC), U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Virginia Center for Transportation Innovation & Research, and several other research entities have reported that ASTM A1035 and stainless steel reinforcing can improve long term durability over traditional materials."

MMFX2 rebar has been proven to exceed the 100-year service life requirement that is now being specified in many new bridge projects. In addition, MMFX2 rebar is significantly less costly than stainless steel rebar, making MMFX2 the most economical corrosion-resistant reinforcing steel solution for 100-year service life.

"The new standard adopted by the Province of Alberta is in line with the actions taken by other progressive transportation agencies that have recognized MMFX2 steel as one of the most cost-effective solutions for minimizing bridge corrosion," said MMFX Technologies President Michael W. Pompay. "The challenge of satisfying the 100-year service life requirement can be economically met by designing with MMFX2 rebar and such value engineering benefits the taxpayers by providing longer-lasting bridges, minimizing repair costs and avoiding traffic disruptions."

Alberta Transportation’s traditional solutions for protecting bridge components exposed to corrosive de-icing materials have included the use of epoxy coated rebar. The updated BSDC standard has eliminated this option based on the fact that "…research and field performance over the past several years has shown epoxy coated reinforcing does not provide the improved corrosion resistance that was expected."

The use of MMFX2 (ASTM A1035) rebar in Alberta will lead to longer lasting bridges and roadways which minimize costly repairs over the lifetime of the asset. Additionally, this move facilitates easier and more efficient construction by eliminating the special handling requirements associated with coated rebar products.

An operating subsidiary of MMFX Technologies Corporation, MMFX Steel Corporation of America, also based in Irvine, Calif., markets and sells MMFX2 branded concrete reinforcing steel products throughout North America. Applications include bridges and highway systems, high-rise buildings and numerous commercial/industrial applications. Independent scientific tests have shown MMFX2 rebar to be five times more corrosion-resistant than and up to two times as strong as conventional steel.