TAGS: Metal Replacement
Finnester Coatings Oy shows how coated composites can compete with metal as a structural material in outdoor settings. The composite coated with Finnester RED may be a better choice as a structural material than metal in different ways.
Advantages of Coated Composites Over Metals
Better Corrosion Resistance
For manufacturing high power electricity transmission poles, metals usually are the go-to material. The metal may not rust quickly, but over time, it will. In tricky cases, corrosion can occur inside the structure and not be visible to the naked eye. As compared to metals coated composite will not rust, ever. Even if moisture gets inside the part, it does not cause corrosion.
Metals are active surfaces that are susceptible to chemical attack e.g. from moisture, salts and acids. This means rust and corrosion, which equals damage to the structure. Outdoor steel structures need regular monitoring and inspection by using both visual and specialist equipment. For example, terahertz techniques can be used to see what is going on inside the structures, underneath the possible painted surface. Monitoring and diagnostics might have to be done quite often. This is expensive.
Right Conductivity Selection with Composites
Electrical equipment such as battery trays, holding electrical car batteries, should have conductivity to be able to spread a false discharge through the surface, rather than focus it under the passengers. On the other side, with power-line structures, full resistivity is required. They are not always behind fenced areas and non-conductive surfaces keep humans and possible fauna safe from electrocution.
The conductivity of coated composites can be varied through coating formulations. So, the same composite can be used for several electrical requirements, with the right coating.
Environmentally Friendly, Lightweight Structures
The Earth we live on has its own thresholds on how heavy structures can be constructed. Composite engineering can be utilized to support big structures over clay or sandy foundations that otherwise would be unusable. For example, road bridges made from metal can be too heavy.
Another benefit of the lightweight composite structures is that they are easy, economical, and environmentally more friendly to transport.
Outstanding Style and Color Possibilities
Finnester RED is both protective and decorative and can handle harsh environmental conditions. Any color can be achieved and retained without worrying the effects harsh conditions. Yellowing of the coating does not occur and the textures can also be chosen as per requirement.
Easy to Repair and Recoat
The coating technologies are long lasting and durable, although, the coated products may need light maintenance after 25 years. In case of metals, after long durations, the hidden rusty part or the damaged structure would need to be dismantled and replaced for safety.
After a long time, if the surface of the composite treated with RED shows signs of deterioration, recoating and repair is inexpensive and simple. The structure may not even need to be removed for the process.
RED Coated Norsepower's Flettner Rotor
The Finnish rotor sail company Norsepower modernized the hundred-year-old Flettner rotor technology to reduce the environmental impact of shipping. When the ship is at sea, the white top hat sail converts the headwind into thrust.
The conditions on the deck of a ship can be extreme. Fluctuating temperatures, wind, rain, salt spray and even snow. The rotor sail must withstand harsh weather,
meet safety regulations, be fireproof and look good.
The sail must be light enough for the ship to benefit from the energy recovered. Otherwise, the thrust will not cover the weight of the sail itself. Composite is the only option, after the coating protection the weather, temperature fluctuations and salt water are no problem at all.
The rotor sail on Viking Grace is coated with Finnester RED. The ship could sail around the world for a couple of decades in tough conditions, but the sail would still be in good shape and pure white. RED meets IMO Fire test procedures code parts 2 and 5
The product underwent an accelerated weathering test where coated composite was placed in a chamber that simulates humidity and temperature variations. In the Norsepower sail case Finnester Coatings conducted an experiment that ran for over 5,000 hours that corresponds to 25 years in nature. The RED composite had no trouble withstanding the test conditions.
Source: Finnester Coatings Oy