AKILA® Sealing System

An environmentally-friendly high performance sealing system developed by ArcelorMittal’s R&D department in Esch-sur-Alzette

AKILA® is a new environmentally friendly high performance sealing system for ArcelorMittal sheet piles. The system is based on three sealing ‘lips’ – consisting of a product called MSP-1 – mechanically extruded into the interlocks of single sheet piles, or the free interlocks of double sheet piles. In the case of double piles, the intermediary (paired) interlock is sealed with a second product MSP-2.

MSP-1 and MSP-2 both belong to the family of silane modified polymers (also called MS-Polymers), and are single component elastic sealants with a density of 1.41 g/cm3 and 1.48 g/cm3, respectively. They are UV-stable and have an excellent adhesion to primerless steel.

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Both products are resistant to humidity, weathering and temperatures between -40°C and +90°C (even up to 120°C for short periods). They have an elongation at break of at least 380%, a Shore A hardness after complete polymerization of 58 for MSP-1 and 44 (after 14 days) for MSP-2, and are durable in contact with freshwater, seawater, as well as various hydrocarbons, bases and acids (depending on concentration, a complete list is available on request).

Watertightness performance

A series of in situ tests were carried out in stiff clays near Mittersheim (FR) and in soft sandy soil near Zeebrugge (BE), in order to determine the inverse joint resistance ρₘ.

Single sheet piles and crimped double piles fitted out with the AKILA® system were driven into the ground using an impact hammer as well as a vibratory hammer. In case of vibrodriving, sheet piles were driven continuously at a minimum speed of 3 m per minute. After installation, watertightness was tested at water pressures of 2 and 3 bar, according to a procedure developed by Deltares and ArcelorMittal.

Environmental certification

MS-Polymers are considered environmentally friendly as they are solvent free and – unlike polyurethanes – do not contain isocyanates. AKILA® is certified by the ‘Hygiene-Institut des Ruhrgebiets’ as suitable for use in contact with groundwater.

“Considering the fact that [MSP-1] remains effectively embedded within the sheet pile interlocks for typical applications, we believe that an appreciable impact on water in contact with the structure can be ruled out.”

Driving recommendations

The above mentioned inverse joint resistance ρₘ values for the AKILA® system were determined through driving tests using the impact hammer and vibratory hammer. In the latter case, the driving speed must be faster than 3 m per minute. We recommend prior consultation of ArcelorMittal’s technical department in case the pressin method is to be used. 

An environmentally friendly lubricant must be applied to the sealant in the interlocks prior to driving.