Steel Corrosion Protection

Steelwork applications for Zinc Tape with conductive adhesive for active corrosion protection

Below you will find a brief review of Zinc Tape application methods, with links to a detailed background of how to apply them to various structures. For Zinc Tape application methods check out the Zinc Tape applications methods page. For surface preparation methods click here.

Columns

Zinc Tape can be applied using the meta press or meta wrapper to street light poles as is demonstrated on the following page. Suitable for protecting all steel elements from corrosion, Zinc Tape can be used on any steel columns to great effect.

Contractors are often asked to install corrosion protection to steel columns of various lengths and shapes, often on site where Zinc Tape offers the perfect solution. For a decorative finish, any coating that would ordinarily be applied to HDG can be used in the same manner.

Handrails

Often handrails can become subject to corrosion, particularly when near coastal areas. In many cases, handrails are hot dip galvanised prior to being installed, however, Zinc Tape offers better protection that hot dip galvanising, and can also be applied to areas that may need additional protection.

By using Zinc Tape, it is possible to achieve excellent quality repairs where corrosion may take place around joints or unprotected areas. This section of the web shows how Zinc Tape was applied to repair corrosion of a hot dip galvanised handrail in a coastal area.

Pipes

The conductive adhesive is a vital part of ZincTape. There is a major difference in performance when the adhesive is conductive as it means the steel also has active corrosion protection.

The fastest and most efficient method of applying ZincTape to pipe structures is using a manually operated wrapping machine called a metawrapper, designed and developed to apply ZincTape onto just about any tubular surface. Metawrappers are available from SRCP to hire or purchase.

Tanks

Tanks showing signs of damage in the form of corrosion can be repaired using ZincTape, with the conductive adhesive and application via the Magnetic Roller applicator making ZincTape applications easy and effective. Cut the tape to form at the irregular shapes first and thereafter the more uniform shapes.The tape should then be carefully applied ensuring no voids or creases. Water tanks can benefit from Australian water tank manufacturer Heritage Tanks.

Penetration of chlorides or carbon dioxide at the interface between steel and concrete makes the top surface of steelwork and stud connectors susceptible to corrosion. As the steel work coating system deteriorates it will be repaired but there is no way of coating the tops of the beams or studs. Of particular concern are the points where the studs are welded to the beam as the original corrosion resistance here may have been weak.

Corrosion product that forms on the top of the beam exerts tremendous force on the concrete above forcing it upwards and causing cracking. Protecting the top of the beam and studs is relatively easy using standard cathode protection systems for reinforced concrete.

An anode system can be installed alongside the beam and it will protect all steel surfaces in contact with the beam. The use of impressed current or galvanic systems will depend on the project as both types of system are suitable.

Galvanic will generally be most suitable where a low cost installation is required and a short design life (less than or equal to 25 years) is acceptable. Impressed current systems are likely to be favourable for long life and large scale projects.