Anyone who works with metal such as steel or iron will understand the risk of long-term corrosion. When metal is corroded and rusty, it weakens over time, potentially leading to deformation, load point failures and a ruined appearance.
Factors that play a part in the corrosion process include water, oxygen, sea spray, UV, chemicals, soil, temperature, humidity, acidity and the composition of the metal. This means an effective procedure is required to prevent corrosion from happening – preferably one that is convenient and cost-effective!
Metallic zinc coating is considered one of the most effective methods of rust prevention for metal prone to corrosion in harsh conditions. This is often done through hot-dip galvanising, where the metal is immersed in molten zinc. It is a cathodic process - the zinc acts as a sacrificial anode, which basically means it corrodes in preference to the underlying metal.
However, hot-dip galvanising might not always be practical or affordable in every business or situation! Another way is to apply an aerosol zinc product that mimics hot-dip galvanising. This is where CRC’s Zinc It range comes in.
The Zinc It range offers metallic spray-on zinc coatings in a portable and convenient form. The aerosol products can be used on any metal requiring long-term, continuous corrosion protection.
This includes structural steel, trailers, roofs, guard rails, welding seams, rivet holes, fencing, storage tank equipment, coastal installations and more. Zinc It can also be used to touch-up existing galvanised coatings.
The range includes:
Zinc It works in a similar way to standard galvanising, in that the zinc layer absorbs the corrosive elements rather than the base metal. This helps protect the underlying metal from rusting. According to CRC, the original Zinc It version offers up to six years of corrosion-protection in harsh environments.
Coloured Zincs offer up to three years of rust protection when used alone (applied directly to the base metal). But they will provide even better protection if original Zinc It and a primer are applied in layers first. Zinc It is easy to apply. Simply shake the metal can in order to thoroughly mix the contents, then add to the surface using smooth, even strokes. The surface should be clean and dry for maximum effectiveness.
David Bailey, CRC Industries National Field Sales and Contracts Manager, says Zinc It offers the same benefits as hot-dip galvanising. “Zinc It is 95% zinc-rich in its dry film, which is the highest zinc percentage of any zinc-based aerosol product on the market. This is important as the higher the zinc content, the longer it lasts,” he says. “The product offers the same advantages of hot-dip galvanising and can supplement existing galvanising when used for recoating after drilling and grinding.”
As Australia’s largest provider of industrial and safety equipment, Blackwoods has all your job requirements covered. Shop the CRC Zinc It range on site
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