Thomas & Betts releases galvanized strut white papers
Papers compare the results of sulfuric acid and salt water spray exposure on strut.
Thomas & Betts (T&B) has released two white papers that compare the results of sulfuric acid and salt water spray exposure testing on various finishes common to metal strut, also known as metal channel.
The white papers detail testing methods and results for metal strut samples with pre-galvanized, hot-dipped galvanized, zinc electroplated and trivalent chromium over zinc finishes.
The white paper, “Galvanized-Finish Metal Strut and Acid Rain,” concerns strut samples subjected to prolonged exposure to sulfuric acid, to recreate the effects of acid rain, and measured the effect of this exposure on the strut samples’ finishes. Similarly, “Salt Water Testing for Galvanized Metal Strut” describes testing conducted with salt-water fog to simulate exposure to seawater and seawater mist.
The acid rain testing measured the samples’ resistance to red rust, the corrosion of iron and steel, and white rust, the corrosion of zinc, when exposed to sulfuric acid in Kesternich testing, which complies with ASTM G-87-84. The results indicated that metal strut plated with trivalent chromium over zinc performed better than metal strut with zinc-electroplated finish.
In a separate series of tests, salt fog testing also measured the samples’ resistance to red and white rust, but from exposure to salt fog, in accordance with ASTM B117. The results indicated that both zinc-electroplated and trivalent chromium over zinc finishes performed better than pre-galvanized (steel components plated with molten zinc before being punched and cut) and hot-dipped galvanized (plating with molten zinc after fabrication) finishes.
“Galvanized-Finish Metal Strut and Acid Rain” may be downloaded at http://tnblnx3.tnb.com/emAlbum/albums//us_resource/AcidRain_WhitePaper_0915.pdf and
“Salt Water Testing for Galvanized Metal Strut” may be downloaded at http://tnblnx3.tnb.com/emAlbum/albums//us_resource/SaltWater_WhitePaper_0915.pdf.
Thomas & Betts manufactures two lines of metal strut:
- Kindorf Channel System, which features dimensions of 1 1/2 inches for the channel, hole spacing and fittings to ensure construction with a minimum of labor and materials; and
- Superstrut Metal Framing System, which offers a full complement of fittings, hardware and accessories in multiple finishes.
Samples of Kindorf strut plated with GalvKrom trivalent chromium on zinc and SilverGalv zinc electroplating, as well as samples of Superstrut channel plated with GoldGlav trivalent chromium on zinc and SilverGalv zinc electroplating, were used in the tests.
For more information about the Kindorf Channel System from T&B, please visit http://tnb.com/pub/en/node/189, and for the Superstrut Metal Framing System from T&B, please visit http://tnb.com/pub/en/node/192, or call (800) 238-5000.
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