Metal corrosion can wreak havoc in the manufacturing industry. Corrosion can result in degradation and reduced lifecycle of fixed assets, frequent unplanned downtime for maintenance, safety issues if damaged assets fail, and loss of revenue.
Pinning down the exact cost of corrosion can be difficult. But the Australasian Corrosion Association points to NACE International research that indicates the effects of corrosion can contribute between 3.5 to 5.2% of global GDP. Extrapolating those results for Australia’s GDP, remediating affected assets could be costing companies here an estimated $78 billion per annum.
The risk of corrosion is often reduced through hot-dip galvanising, where metal is immersed in molten zinc at high temperatures. But this may not be a viable solution for every situation. Another way to protect assets is by applying a cold galvanising coating. These coatings mimic hot-dip galvanising, without the complex process. The coatings can also be used to touch-up degraded hot-dip galvanising.
Cold galvanising coatings or paints contain a high percentage of zinc in their dry film, enabling these products to protect against corrosion. Zinc content is often held to be the main indicator of quality, but it’s also important for the coating to have good adhesion to the base metal. If not, it will be more likely to peel off or crack.
Film thickness is another key consideration, allowing the coating to be applied in consistent layers that are thick enough to prevent rust from breaking through. A good-quality coating should also have a fast drying time. A coating that takes too long to dry can impact productivity and efficiency.
Nick Jolly, Portfolio Manager at ITW Polymers and Fluids, says it’s crucial to use a high-performing, proven cold galvanising product that is suitable for harsh manufacturing environments.
“Cheaper, low-quality solutions can end up costing more in terms of repairs, reduced asset performance, productivity losses, and total cost of assets.”
Galmet ColdGal is a cold galvanising coating that is easy and convenient to apply, making it ideal for the manufacturing sector. It can be used as a stand-alone solution to protect new assets or to do touch-ups to pre-existing galvanisation. ColdGal comes in an aerosol can for smaller jobs and touch-ups of degraded galvanising, and a 4L tin ideal for bigger jobs.
The advantages of ColdGal include:
Nick says when it’s important to maximise asset and equipment life cycle, investing in quality corrosion protection leads to lasting protection. In preventing corrosion, companies need to consider which of the above factors can be compromised on in terms of performance.
“If your answer is ‘none’, then it’s clear you need Galmet ColdGal as your go-to solution for long-lasting, uncompromising corrosion protection!”
As Australia’s leading supplier of industrial solutions, Blackwoods has everything you need to keep your operations running smoothly. If you’re looking for corrosion solutions, talk to your Blackwoods account manager, and view the Galmet ColdGal range on site. Stay prepared, because productivity should never be left to chance.