Why might a metal be coated?

04 Apr.,2024

 

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Metal coatings are quintessential to completing a construction job. They’re a crucial component of the object’s surface because the coating offers a protective seal on necessary parts – something that is essential to infrastructure, utilities, and appearance.

When construction is complete, the metal finish enables each part to contribute significantly to its overall integrity. It can also add to the attractiveness of the product.

Let’s explore some of the metals used in construction and why thermal spray coatings should be used.

What Are Metal Coatings?

Paints that are used on metal to shield surfaces and prevent harmful damage are metal coatings. Although all paint is a type of coating, not all coatings are paints.

Coating refers more to the end result once the work of applying multiple layers of paint has been completed.

From more straightforward metal coatings and treatments to the corrosion-resistant ones, metal coatings come in a range of applications.

Different Types of Metals Used in Construction

Wide varieties of metals are employed in the building sectors. Mainly due to its longevity, weather-resistance, strength, and resilience. So metal is used in manufacturing and building by designers, architects, and builders.

However, different metals may be used in different situations. It all just depends on the circumstances.

Aluminium

This strong and lightweight metal is one of the most frequently sought after in the construction industry.

With its great fluidity and versatility, architects can design great scopes. Take planes, for example. Aluminium is vital when designing and crafting this particular mode of transport, and that’s simply because of all the advantages it offers.

In this situation, Aluminium is one of the most ideal choices due to its weather, corrosion, and UV resistance. All incredibly important factors to consider for a craft that flies 30,000 miles above the land in constant contact with atmospheric moisture or UV rays.

Because of this, it is very often the first metal considered and selected by designers and architects when it comes to massive structures like bridges and stadiums.

Steel

Harden or strengthen are words synonymous with steel and with this alloy being made up of mostly iron and carbon, it really makes sense.

For many builders, steel is the ‘go-to’ substrate. Steel could even be considered as a builder’s choice of tool – it’s durable, reliable, and has incredible tensile strength. Not only that but its easily recyclable, which is why its also a common choice for jewellers and crafters.

Stainless Steel

Sometimes favoured over regular steel, stainless steel has an edge over its counterpart in that it is corrosion resistant.

This metal adds appeal to the exteriors of its crafts while ensuring that they’re sturdy and well-supported. And due to its ability to withstand both hot and cold temperatures, stainless steel is a versatile choice picked by many builders.

Copper

Though copper is definitely more malleable in comparison to other metals on this list, it remains widely popular in the building industry.

Copper is the chief component in many buildings’ pipes. It is a ductile, corrosion resistant, suited for both hot and cold water systems. That means that it’s great for both heating and air conditioning applications.

On a broader scale, out of all the metals, copper is the most electrically conductive. Telecommunications systems and computer mechanics certainly rely on this particular metal in order for their appliance to function well.

Why Should Metal Coatings Be Used?

Many metals might be better suited or more recommended for particular industries, but that doesn’t take away from why they should have a metal finish.

Almost all of the most common reasons metals have coatings are on a broader sense. They’re not simply applicable to only one metal in one industry. It works for all metals in all industries, no matter what their serving role is. The only difference is the type of coating that may be applied.

Protection from Corrosion

The big one.

A chemical process that all metals are susceptible to, corrosion. And there’s a number of things that can cause it: bad paintwork, scratches and indents, moisture, constant contact with water.

There are water-borne and solvent-borne corrosion coatings that are both good for industrial use, but not all coatings work for all metals in all industries. The products should always be considered before a decision is made.

Durability Boost

So not only do coatings help protect metal from natural corrosion occurring, but they also provide a more improved durability throughout the entire structure.

Longer lasting coatings even have an effect on the amount of maintenance that the components need. And fewer maintenance updates means fewer pennies spent.

Appearance Improvement

Even in harsher conditions, metal coatings enable the preservation of a structure’s aesthetic appeal for long-terms. A durable finished surface can be produced with a client’s particular aesthetics. That includes the paint colour and gloss level, as long as its applied with the most appropriate metal coating.

Chemical and Water Resistance

In addition to protecting your structure against corrosion, properly applied metal coatings also provide a strong surface. One that is extremely resilient to abrasion and chemical stress.

Solvent-borne coatings are very adept if you need a coating for a high humidity environment.

Protection against Fire Damage

The substrate can also be shielded from the impacts of fire by using specific thermal spray coatings.

For instance, the steel in a metallic structure is provided more time until it reaches a temperature where weight support becomes fragile. At this point, it is likely that the entire structure will begin to collapse in on itself.

Therefore, a metal covering that protects against fire damage is helpful. Extra time may result in successful building evacuations and the fire emergency services arriving to extinguish flames.

Alphatek: Our Solutions

Multiple thermal spray coatings that have been developed at Alphatek have been done so to meet our customers’ specific needs. Every single coating we applied was delivered with the absolute highest quality.

Industries are demanding multiple character points that can encompass a multitude of properties: non-stick release, abrasion, corrosion, frictional wear, high temperature resistance, conduction, and many more. Our job is to make sure we deliver coatings that are the most effective and best value.

With our joint experience of over 100 years, we know that there’s no shortcut to experience.

Located just 20 miles north of Manchester and supported by multiple travel links, come see us and you’ll be welcomed to our worksite. Alternatively, you can just send us a quick email or fill out our form.

To reach us via telephone, call +44(0) 1706 821 021.

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Coated Metals

March 13, 2023 1:37 pm Leave a Comment

All You Need to Know About Coated Metals

Applications involving ferrous metals like steel may require that the material undergo a coating process before it’s suitable to use. Through one of several techniques, manufacturers can coat the surface of the metal with an alloy or other material to prevent corrosion and rust, enhance wear resistance and appearance, and achieve particular performance goals. Learn more about the types of coated metals available as well as their applications and benefits.

What Are Coated Metals?

Coated metal surfaces provide added protection for the material underneath and can prevent rust and corrosion that might otherwise develop from exposure to chemicals, air, or water. There are multiple coating materials and techniques that manufacturers can use, depending on the specific needs of the application.

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Manufacturers throughout numerous industries rely on coated metals to safeguard their products from damage. Industries with the highest need for metal protective coatings include:

  • Aerospace
  • Appliances
  • Automotive
  • Construction
  • Electronics
  • Marine
  • Rainwater goods

Manufacturers have many types of coated metals to choose from, each one delivering its own unique advantages. The most common types of coated metals include:

  • Galvalume This type of steel is a structural, commercial, drawing, and forming variety that has undergone galvanization with an aluminum alloy consisting of 45% zinc. It’s beneficial for its ability to retain its flatness, its superior resistance to corrosion as compared to standard galvanized steel, and its compatibility with painting processes. Galvalume steel is useful in applications such as ducting, varied paneling, and computer housings, to name a few.
  • Galvanized To safeguard against corrosion, the galvanizing process applies a zinc layer overtop a ferrous metal. The most common method is hot-dip galvanizing. During this process, you dip steel material into a molten zinc bath to coat it. When you reexpose the material to the air, the zinc reacts to the oxygen immediately, resulting in a zinc-oxide layer of superior strength and corrosion resistance. Together, the steel and zinc create a metallurgical bond, which prevents flaking. Galvanized coatings are available in several weights, including G40, G60, and G90.
  • Electro-galvanized. The electro-galvanizing process utilizes an electrical current to bond a zinc or zinc-iron coating with steel through an electrolytic technique. Electro-galvanized metal will have a uniform coating thickness, a smooth appearance with a matte finish, and a paintable surface post-priming. Metals that have undergone this process are ideal for automotive paneling applications.
  • Prepainted cold rolled and galvanized carbon steel Prepainted steel offers excellent coating coverage and uniformity, resulting in improved corrosion resistance and minimized manufacturing time, since it eliminates the need for drying. This technique is suitable for high-volume production in numerous prepainted colors and texture choices. Prepainted steel is common in consumer appliance, automotive, and metal roofing applications.
  • Galvannealed Coated with a zinc-iron alloy, galvannealed steel provides good flatness, formability, and weldability while still allowing for surface painting. It offers lower resistance to corrosion than galvalume steel, but it’s still advantageous in electrical components, doors and framing, and exterior signage.
  • Aluminized Aluminized metal coating involves surrounding a steel component with pure aluminum, which results in maximum corrosion and thermal resistance. Steel with an aluminum coating is applicable for many industrial tasks, such as HVAC systems, heat exchangers, and products for high-heat environments, such as baking sheets. When comparing aluminized steel vs. galvanized steel, aluminized steel can withstand significantly higher temperatures.
  • Tin plate Tin plating involves covering a steel surface with tin in thin layers, providing optimal solderability and corrosion and rust resistance. As tin is a ductile material, products with tin plating have good formability, allowing you to produce components in various configurations without damaging the plating.
  • Bonderized The bonderizing process involves putting cleaned galvanized steel through a phosphate bath followed by a chromate dry to produce a crystalline zinc-phosphate layer. The resulting finish is an excellent paint primer that improves paint’s lifespan, but you should be ready to use the material immediately to prevent white rust. Also known as paint grip steel, bonderized steel has ideal uses in roofing applications, flashing, gutters, downspouts, outdoor signs, and more.
  • Anodized When anodizing, manufacturers immerse a metal component within a tank containing an electrolytic solution and a cathode of lead or aluminum. As electric current passes through the component, the process encourages a non-toxic oxide layer to form overtop the metal’s surface for greater protection and easy maintenance. Anodizing ultimately creates a thicker layer faster than if a surface were to oxidize naturally, and provides good chemical stability for a lasting coating. Anodizing is ideal for aluminum in particular and works with several non-ferrous metals, but all ferrous metals, including iron and steel, are incompatible with the process. Color options are also limited.

Benefits of Coated Metals

Metal coating techniques make ferrous substrates suitable for long-lasting use in their applications. Coated metals provide:

  • Enhanced product lifespan due to products’ surface strength
  • Durability and minimal friction, even in high-contact components
  • Resistance to abrasion, general wear, galvanization, oxidation, rust, corrosion, chemicals, and electricity damage
  • Electrical conductivity (beneficial for commercial and industrial parts)
  • Polished, aesthetically pleasing finishes free from surface flaws
  • Increased torque, with effortless lubrication of fasteners or related components
  • Simplified assembly, disassembly, and – given coatings’ non-stick nature – cleanup tasks
  • Budgetary savings

Coated Steel and More From Continental Steel & Tube Company

Coated metals increase the durability and lifespan of the components that manufacturers use these materials to produce. As a leading global supplier and distributor of high-quality metals, Continental Steel can help you identify and source the most suitable coated metal for your application. To learn more about our material options and industrial metal coating, contact us today.

Why might a metal be coated?

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