Metal Spraying

TSZ – thermal sprayed zinc provides excellent anti-corrosive properties. A typical thickness of 100 microns will give a life of at least 30 years before signs of corrosion. It is equal in many instances to hot dip galvanising - but without any of the problems/special requirements associated with galvanising such as heat distortion, cavity fills, bubble corners, difficulty to paint i.e. needs etch primers or extended weathering to facilitate good adhesion. Thermal sprayed coatings are best suited to articles having surface areas of 300mm square or more. It can be used for rod or rail structures - but the overspray losses can make this an uneconomic choice. We apply the coating over a shotblasted finish using a highly controllable arc spray system selected to ensure quality uniform thickness coatings. Our standard finish can be sealed and overpainted or left self-colour. As opposed to high build two-pack paint systems, zinc sprayed fabrications can accept transit and site damage without harm to its anti-corrosive properties.

TSZ is normally sealed with a two-pack epoxy primer –typically Leighs L425, to close any surface porosity. This extends its life and provides a decorative surface or a primed surface for further coats of paint. Care should be taken to mask any areas that need to fit together after processing. Typically the deposited zinc will prevent previously closely fitting surfaces being reassembled. Of course, this build up of thickness can be an advantage to previously loose fitting parts. Our spray room is 3.4M wide by 3.5M deep having an available height of 2.4M.