Protecting bolts from corrosion is essential for maintaining structural integrity and ensuring the longevity of assemblies. One of the most widely used and effective methods involves applying a protective coating.
Understanding Bolt Corrosion
Steel bolts are susceptible to rust, which is a form of corrosion. Rust weakens the bolt material, reduces its load-bearing capacity, and can cause seizing, making future disassembly difficult or impossible. Protecting bolts prevents these issues, ensuring reliable performance over time.
Popular Protection Methods
Various methods exist to protect bolts, including plating, painting, and specialized coatings. The choice often depends on the environment, required lifespan, and cost.
The Role of Zinc Flake Coatings
Currently, zinc flake coatings are a highly popular and effective method for protecting steel bolts and washers. These coatings offer excellent barrier protection against corrosive elements.
How Zinc Flake Coatings Work
As highlighted in the reference, zinc flake coatings – such as Delta Protekt® or Delta-Tone® – are applied in a process similar to painting. After application, they are baked to form a robust, adherent barrier layer. This barrier physically separates the underlying steel from moisture, salt, and other corrosive agents.
- Application: Applied like paint.
- Curing: Baked to create a durable finish.
- Protection: Creates a physical barrier against corrosion.
Additional Benefits
The reference also notes that applying more layers of zinc flake coating not only enhances the barrier protection but can also provide an additional benefit: it acts as a friction-proof coating. This can be advantageous in assembly processes, ensuring more consistent torque-tension relationships.
Summary of Protection Method
| Method | Description | Key Benefit(s) | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zinc Flake Coating | Applied like paint, then baked to form a barrier. | Excellent barrier protection; Friction control. | Delta Protekt®, Delta-Tone® |
By utilizing methods like zinc flake coatings, the lifespan and reliability of steel bolts in various applications can be significantly extended, preventing the costly and dangerous failures that can result from corrosion.
