All our Kee Klamp® Key Clamps fittings are galvanised cast iron to European standard BS EN ISO 1461, which increases their longevity, reliability and overall toughness.
BS EN ISO 1461 requires iron and steel be cleaned and prepared, which includes galvanizing. Galvanizing – or ‘hot dip galvanizing’, prevents the components from corroding.
Before the galvanizing can take place, the fitting must be given a chemical clean, which removes oil, rust and other unpleasant residue from the surface. Once that process is complete, the solution is rinsed off and the fitting is dipped into a molten zinc bath which is heated to around 460°c.
The fitting is then removed from the bath and left to cool in a quench tank before the zinc coating is metallurgically bonded to the steel.
Why do we galvanise our fittings?
Longevity – Galvanizing can give an easy to clean surface which has a maintenance free life of over 50 years, depending on the environment it’s being used in;
Cost effectiveness – In many cases the cost of galvanising is cheaper than applying alternative coatings such as paint, which can be labour intensive. For example, a galvanised coating can be applied in a matter of hours, whereas a paint system can take up to a week;
Low lifetime cost – When you add the cost of galvanising a fitting with the durability it provides, and factor in the virtually zero maintenance requirements, galvanising is clearly an economical way of protecting iron and steel;
Reliability – Galvanizing is one of the few coatings which is fully defined by a British Standard. Much of this is down to the fact that galvanising is a relatively uncomplicated process which can be closely controlled. The coating’s thickness can be accurately controlled, making it easy to specify;
Toughness – Galvanising is the only coating process where the coating is bonded metallurgically, giving it a greater resistance to damage during handling, storage, transportation and installation;
Complete coverage – As the fittings are dipped into molten zinc during the galvanising process, the entire surface, both inside and outside the fitting and any difficult to reach areas are covered;
Superior protection – The coating weathers slowly, giving the structures constructed with fittings a long life. This is further enhanced by galvanising, providing protection to areas that may be exposed through cutting or accidental damage.
Hot dip galvanised Kee Klamp® Key Clamps fittings allows us to provide cost effective handrails, safety barriers and guardrails which are more resilient to corrosion, and a typical Kee Klamp® Key Clamps structure can last up to 7 times longer than a fabricated one.
For more information about our hot dip galvanised fittings, get in touch or call us on Tel: 0208 874 6566 to discuss any project requirements you may have.
Tue, 05/16/2017 – 17:52
Find out more about our ‘hot dip’ galvanised fittings, and learn how it provides a stronger, longer lasting product.
Why galvanise fittings
