ISOZIN Zinc Tape, which eliminates risks of corrosion of atmospherically exposed steel structures has recently been assessed and formalised with the introduction of a specific Italian UNI 10781 standard. Introduced by BAC Corrosion Control (BAC), of Telford and Metalnastri of Italy. BAC are leading specialists in corrosion protection for typical, applications including above ground pipe work, storage tanks, and splash zone protection. Other applications include street furniture such as sign and lamp posts and chassis members and other corrosively risky areas in rail and tram carriages and other vehicles.
The UNI standard, number UNI 10781:2005, titled ‘Laminar zinc coating for atmospheric exposure’, covers Zinc pressure sensitive, adhesive tape requirements and coating application and testing methods. The new English version of the standard is available at www.uni.com and details
“the requirements for the materials to be used in laminar zinc coating, for testing and application methods of such materials and for commissioning of the applied coating. The laminar zinc coating is field applied to assembled metallic structures or single elements of same, exposed to the atmosphere in temperate climate areas.”
ISOZIN laminated zinc tape comprises a layer of 99.99% pure zinc 80 microns (0.08mm) thick with 25 microns (0.025mm) of adhesive protected by a removable siliconised paper. It is available in 50 metre long rolls in widths ranging from 10mm up to 300mm.
A feature of the new laminated zinc tape is its electrically conductive adhesive which, as well as securing the tape to the steel substrate ensures a positive electrical connection to the zinc so that it can act as a sacrificial galvanic anode. This is achieved by incorporating a percentage of powdered zinc into the adhesive during manufacture.
The product is designed to cover unpainted iron, steel and light alloys to provide local corrosion protection that, in most cases, will last longer than the life of the structure being protected. The tape has the advantage over hot dip galvanising of being able to extend the protection by double or even triple by wrapping the substrate more than once if the client wishes to. This is not possible with hot dip galvanising, which has been a popular method of protecting in the past.