Materials and Finishes

Power Solution Industries offers its range of Cable Management and Cable Support Systems in a variety of materials and finishes to suit the environmental conditions where components will be installed. Choice of an appropriate material/finish is always an important consideration in system design because maintenance of components once installed will be extremely difficult. Clients will undoubtedly expect a long life for the installed system and the choice of appropriate material / finish must consider the expected prevailing atmosphere and its effect on the system components.

Mild steel is an economical material for load bearing structures but if the surface remains untreated, it would rapidly begin to show signs of corrosion even in only mildly aggressive environments. When mild steel corrodes the iron content is converted to oxides (rust) this progressively changes the strong steel into weak oxides which rapidly reduces the load bearing capacity of the affected part. If mild steel is coated with zinc not only is the steel protected by the envelope of zinc whose chemical corrosion rate is low but since zinc is higher in the electro-chemical series, the zinc will always pass into solution before the iron content of steel. The strength of the steel structure will not be weakened by corrosion until the zinc coating has been sacrificed. The length of time it takes for the zinc coating to dissolve is in proportion to the thickness of the coating and the aggressiveness of the environment in which it is exposed.

Carbon Steel

Compliant with BS EN 10111:2008, BS 10130:2006 & BS 1449-1.1:991

Carbon steel is an economical material for load bearing structures but if the surface remains untreated, it would rapidly begin to show signs of corrosion even in only mildly aggressive environments. When carbon steel corrodes the iron content is converted to oxides (rust) this progressively changes the strong steel into weak oxides which rapidly reduces the load bearing capacity of the affected part. If carbon steel is coated with zinc not only is the steel protected by the envelope of zinc whose chemical corrosion rate is low but since zinc is higher in the electro-chemical series, the zinc will always pass into solution before the iron content of steel. The strength of the steel structure will not be weakened by corrosion until the zinc coating has been sacrificed. The length of time it takes for the zinc coating to dissolve is in proportion to the thickness of the coating and the aggressiveness of the environment in which it is exposed.

Pre-Galvanized steel (PG) also known as Mill Galvanized Steel

Compliant with BS EN 10346:2015 & BS EN 10143:2006

Whilst the mild steel is still in wide coil form at the steel mill it is processed in a continuous operation to clean the steel and pass it through a bath of molten zinc which forms iron / zinc alloys and a coating of pure zinc on the surfaces of the steel which is then cooled and re-coiled. This means that the steel is galvanized before it is slit to width, cut to length, pierced and formed to shape. The coating cannot be allowed to become thick because it would split during the forming process. However, since zinc offers electro-chemical protection it will offer protection for what might be considered unprotected edges where the flat material has been cut or pierced? This is an effective and economic anti corrosion finish suitable for interior applications except where there is continual high humidity or corrosive atmosphere.

Hot Dip Galvanized Steel (HDG)

Compliant with BS EN ISO 1461:2009

To achieve this finish components made from mild steel are cleaned and dipped into a bath of molten zinc after all the other manufacturing process have been completed. Not only does this ensure that the whole of the component is coated, it offers the opportunity to develop a much thicker zinc coating than is possible with pre-galvanizing. Power Solution Industries takes particular care to ensure that distortion of components is minimized during the galvanising process however, this is a hot working process and some distortion and surface roughness may be in evidence. Since the zinc thickness is far greater than that of pre-galvanized steel the anti-corrosive properties are enhanced. This finish will be suitable for most exterior installations except where there is a very aggressive atmosphere.

Stainless Steel (SS)

Compliant with BS EN 10088-1:2014 & BS EN 10088-2:2014

Stainless steel differs from mild steel, in that, it contains a variety of alloyed elements, which very significantly reduce the rate at which the iron content will oxidize. The name “stainless” is a misnomer because many pollutants and chemicals will mark or stain the surface but this does not erode the strength of the steel as rusting weakens mild steel. To obtain good forming and outstanding corrosion resistance properties austenitic grades of stainless steel are used. They also have the property that they will withstand aggressive chemicals used to wash down processing areas where good hygiene is a high priority. The fact that stainless steel can maintain strength properties even when exposed to high temperature is also a valuable asset. This portfolio of useful properties makes stainless steel suitable for systems exposed to very aggressive atmospheres, including marine environments, high levels of pollution, caustic soda and temperatures of 1000deg C for periods long enough to give some integrity to electrical circuits in a fire emergency.

Anodized Aluminum

The anodized coating is hard, durable, will never peel, and, under normal conditions, will never wear through. The purpose of anodizing is to form a layer of aluminum oxide that will protect the aluminum beneath it. The aluminum oxide layer has much higher corrosion and abrasion resistance than aluminum.

Aluminum is a light & basic material for load bearing structural members of Aluminum Cable trays or ladders, made out of 6063-T6 Aluminum Extrusion, a material that economically meets the requirements of the installations. The 6063-T6 alloys have adequate strength & good corrosion resistance. It is lightweight, easy maintenance & because of the non- magnetic properties of Aluminum, keeps electrical losses to a minimum.

Compliant with BS EN ISO 12944-5:2007

Two component epoxy polyurethane coating system offering high build finishing coats for the protection of steel in corrosive environments, applied to carbon steel or hot dipped galvanized surfaces.

Epoxy Powder Coating

These coatings are applied to carbon steel systems. The coatings can be offered in a wide variety of colors to meet architectural project requirements. The coatings themselves are resilient to damage and will withstand atmospheric pollution and ultra violet exposure from sunlight. However if the coating envelope is broken the steel substrate will have little defense to corrosive agents.

A highly decorative appearance can be achieved but longevity of this finish cannot be guaranteed