News: 22/10/2012: BlueScope Steel Develops Longer-Lasting ZINCALUME® steel
22 October 2012
BlueScope Steel is preparing to roll-out a third generation of its iconic ZINCALUME® steel. It features a patented new coating that has a smaller environmental impact* and increases its durability.
Next Generation ZINCALUME® steel featuring Activate™ technology will enter production in the second quarter of 2013, bringing to fruition almost 20 years of efforts by BlueScope Steel to develop a longer-lasting metallic-coated building product.
BlueScope Steel market manager – commercial and industrial – Manu Siitonen, said BlueScope Steel has invested over $100 million in perfecting a better ZINCLAUME® steel product.
He said the breakthrough metal coating formulation of Next Generation ZINCALUME® steel improves the already high corrosion performance of the current product.
"ZINCALUME® steel is renowned in Australian building and architectural circles for the galvanic action of the zinc in its coating, which gives it a self-sealing property and increases its lifespan," said Mr Siitonen.
"With Next Generation ZINCALUME® steel, we have perfected a new formula that improves the galvanic action of the zinc. With the addition of a new magnesium compound, it activates the aluminium in the coating composition to provide even more effective corrosion resistance.
The result is a product that is more resilient when drilled, cut or scratched.
"Ultimately, the chemistry of Next Generation ZINCALUME® steel metal coating formulation makes it stronger in harsh construction environments and opens up the possibility of new applications for builders and specifiers."
Next Generation ZINCALUME® steel metal coating formulation has undergone 10 years of accelerated laboratory testing and 17 years of environmental field testing to ensure it exceeds the durability of the current ZINCALUME® steel product.
"The improved coating also enables a more efficient use of natural resources through the reduced use of zinc and aluminium, lessening Next Generation ZINCALUME® steel's environmental impact."
Since its launch in 1976, ZINCALUME® steel has been a standard-setter amongst steel roofing, cladding and construction products.
In 1994, second generation ZINCALUME® steel was launched, featuring the addition of a resin coating that improved mark resistance, and made the steel easier to handle and roll-form.
*Compared to original ZINCALUME® steel (AZ150 coating) in all LCA environmental impact categories when used in commercial and industrial roofing applications. This improvement is the result of innovation in the metal coating formulation that delivers an increased lifespan while using fewer metal resources.
