Feature
Introducing SANS 1431 grade 350WA
structural steel
In order to conform to the International trend, local steel
producers will be producing a grade 350WA that will
provide improved mechanical properties to the grade
300WA product presently available.
260
240
220
200
zinc coating thickness (m)
This will result in an increase in demand for structural
steel in some applications where concrete structures are
presently preferred. It could also result in the use of
thinner sections with similar structural properties to
those of thicker grade 300WA material.
From the corrosion aspect, there will be no difference
between these two grades, thus similar corrosion control
measures for grade 350WA steel will be required as
recommended for the grade 300WA material.
180
160
140
120
100
zinc
temperature
80
60
If hot dip galvanizing is selected as the preferred method
of protection, the galvanizing process will have no
detrimental influence on the mechanical properties of
grade 350WA steel.
452C
40
440C
20
431C
0
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.35
0.40
0.45
silicon content, mass %
Bath temperature effect on the Traditional Sandelin Curve.
In the case of silicon killed hot rolled profiled steel, the
producers have given the assurance that the silicon
content will invariably range between 0.20% and 0.30%
while on rare occasions it may reach 0.33 or 0.34%. This
will ensure that in the vast majority of cases the
metallurgical reactivity level of this steel in the presence
of molten zinc will fall into the less reactive silicon range
as depicted by the well-known Sandelin curve.
producer should be advised at the procurement stage
that this silicon range is necessary in all hot rolled steel
sections.
The silicon range between 0.20% and 0.30% will enable
galvanizers to provide durable thick coatings without
excessively thick and brittle iron / zinc alloy layers
associated with silicon levels outside this range.
For architectural applications where hot dip galvanizing
has been selected as the final coating for aesthetical
reasons, specifying of the silicon range of between 0.2%
to 0.25% is essential for success. Unfortunately this
might not be feasible where small quantities of steel are
involved but in the case of large contracts, the steel
There are precautions that a galvanizer can take to
minimise excessive zinc / iron alloy layer growth
provided the chemical composition certificate of the
steel is included with the order to galvanize.
GRADE 300WA versus GRADE 350WA
Chemical Composition (Ladle Analysis)
Mechanical Properties
10
11
12
13
Yield
Strength
Mn
Si
Nb
Nb+
V*
Al+
Cu+
Ni+
Cr+
Mo+
Minimum
MPa
Range
MPa
300
450
620
20
350
480
650
18
GRADE
Tensile
Strength
Minimum
Elongation
Maximum Content %
300WA
0.22 1.60 0.50 0.050 0.050 0.03 0.10
0.05 0.10 0.35
350WA
0.22 1.60 0.50 0.050 0.050 0.10 0.10
0.10
0.10 0.35 0.30
0.30 0.10
Notes:
+ Addition of these elements is
optional.
* It is permissible that the steel be
supplied with no Niobium or
Vanadium.
If grain refining elements are used, it
must be recorded on the test
certificate.
If Nb or V is used separately, the
maximum % of either shall conform
to the limits given in columns 6 & 7.
If used in combination, the maximum
% shall conform to the limits given in
column 8.
Volume 2 Issue 2 2005 Hot Dip Galvanizing Today 53
54 Hot Dip Galvanizing Today Volume 2 Issue 2 2005
The repair coating shall be applied at
least 30m greater than the local
coating thickness prescribed in the
specification, which for structural steel
(thickness of steel equal or greater
than 6mm) will be at least 70m. This
means that the repair coating shall be
at least 100m thick for this thickness
of steel.
The repair material has sacrificial
protection properties.
Repair may be done by zinc metal
spraying, zinc rich paint or epoxy or a
zinc alloy stick, providing:
The customer shall be informed by the
galvanizer as to the method of repair.
Total repair area shall be no greater
than 0.5% of the surface area of the
component.
The individual repair area shall be no
greater than 10cm2.
The Association has compiled a matrix of
different coating repair materials for
comparison purposes.
SANS 121 (SABS ISO 1461) makes
allowances for coating repair, with the
following provisos:
When certain steels, due to their reactivity
are dipped into molten zinc, a thicker
coating than that required by the
specification may result. This coating
although providing greater corrosion
protection is often more prone to brittleness
and can, in spite of the abrasion resisting
properties offered by the coating, become
damaged during transport and handling. In
addition site alterations are often required
and the damaged or cut hot dip galvanized
coating should be repaired.
4 hrs at 25C
Overcoat interval
time (Min)
Overcoat interval
time (Max)
Surface
preparation
5 litre pack
7.1m2/l at
75m
Airless and air
spray & brush
5.7m2/l at
65m DFT
Airless and air
spray & brush
Spread rate at
recommended DFT
Airless, brush to
touch up
13.3m2/l at
40m DFT
4 litre pack
24 hrs
80%
53%
3 to 1
Remove
contaminants,
roughen with light
blast or mechanical
grind
Yes
NA
NA
11/2 hrs at 23C
Yes
40 to 90m
Grey
Airless, brush to
touch up
11.86m2/l at
50m DFT
1 litre pack
NA
70%
58%
NA
Contaminants
removed with
detergents and
fresh water
NA
Yes
NA
3 hrs at 23C
Yes
30 to 50m
Light grey
Single pack
polyurethane zinc
dust primer
Zinc Rich Cold
Galvanizing
JOTUN
2 Component
zinc rich epoxy
primer
Barrier
#1: Can be overcoated after touch dry at about 2 hours, the product will continue to cure under the topcoat.
Application
method
6 hrs at 25C
NA
Pot life
1 litre pack
37%
Volume solids
Min. pack size
60%
53%
86%
Zinc content
1 to 4
Yes
Remove
contaminants,
roughen with light
blast or mechanical
grind
NA
Remove
contaminants,
roughen with light
blast or mechanical
grind
Twin pack
NA
NA
Yes
Mix ratio
3 days
<30 days
Single pack
6 hrs at 25C
75m
Yes certain
paint types
50 to 75m
Yes certain
paint types
Grey & red
Grey
Colour
Can be
overcoated
Zinc-filled,
epoxy polyamide
primer
Modified single
pack zinc-rich
phenoxy
Type
Single
application DFT
658
676
CARBOLINE STONCOR
Airless, air spray
& brush/roller
10.9m2/l at
35m DFT
1 litre pack
NA
38%
90%
NA
Remove
contaminants,
roughen with light
blast or mechanical
grind
NA
Yes
Several months
2 hrs at 20C
Yes with unsaponifiable coatings
35m
Grey flat
1 Component
zinc rich epoxy
primer
Proferral PR
Airless, air spray
& brush/roller
8.8m2/l at
75m DFT
5 litre pack
8 hrs at 20C
66%
81%
80:20 by vol.
Remove
contaminants and
apply primer
Yes
No
Several months
8 hrs
Yes
75m
Reddish grey flat
2 Component high
solids polyamide
adduct cured zinc
epoxy primer
Sigmarite HS
Zinc
SIGMA
Brush
10m2/l at
35m DFT
1 litre pack
NA
36%
90 93%
NA
Remove
contaminants.
Light blast or abrade
with abrasive paper
NA
Yes
NA
4 hrs at 23C
Yes
25 to 50m
Metallic grey
Organic zinc
rich primer
Polygalv
Primer
Airless and air
spray brush
5.5m2/l at
75m DFT
5 litre pack
2 hrs at 25C
59%
81%
4 parts base to 1
part hardener by vol.
Remove
contaminants.
Light blast/
mechanical grind
Yes
NA
Extended
3 hrs at 25C
Yes
50 to 75m
Metallic grey/red
Zinc filled epoxy
polyamide primer
Interzinc 52
PLASCON
Brush or spatula
6.7m2/l & 0.22m2/
100gm at 150m DFT
100gm squish pack
25 min at 25C
100%
>80%
Premixed in
squish pack
Remove
contaminants.
Abrade with
abrasive paper
Yes
NA
NA
2 hrs at 20C #1
Yes
150 to 200m
Matt grey
Solvent free
epoxy based
metallic coating
Squish
Pack
ZINCFIX
Hot dip galvanized coating repair materials A comparison in terms of the specification requirements
Feature
