Galvanised Trailer Parts are being phased out!
Many Chinese manufacturers are phasing out galvanised trailer parts. The Government has imposed a galvanising tax. It’s as simple as that!
While still very popular, hot-dipped galvanising parts are being replaced by ElectroGal® or a Mechanical Galvanising process.
Technological evolution is paving the way for the ElectroGal® process to completely replace hot-dipped galvanising.
Hot Dipped Galvanising
The following processes can loosely summarise hot-dipped galvanising:
- The product was cleaned by dipping in an acid bath to remove rust and debris.
- The basket containing products is then washed to remove the acid.
- Pickling, rinsing, fluxing solution.
- A hot tub of galvanised zinc is prepared, into which a basket of product is dipped.
- The parts undergo inspection while hot with any slag removed.
- Parts are sometimes put into a cooling oven to de-embrittle over several hours.
Hot-dip galvanisation is a form of galvanisation. It is the process of coating iron, steel or aluminium with a layer of zinc by immersing the metal in a bath of molten zinc at a temperature of around 860 °F (460 °C).
When exposed to the atmosphere, the pure zinc (Zn) reacts with oxygen (O2) to form zinc oxide (ZnO). As a result, it further reacts with carbon dioxide (CO2) to form zinc carbonate (ZnCO3.
The result is a dull grey, relatively durable material that stops further corrosion in many circumstances.
This hot-dipped process is cumbersome but the only method of rustproofing available until ElectroGal®.
ElectroGal Video
ElectroGal is a multi-mechanical plating process that bonds several coatings onto any product.
Couplemate uses the ElectroGal® for u-bolts, nylocks and washers. We found fewer problems with nuts fitting the thread using the ElectroGal® process.
Examples of Galvanised trailer parts are:
- Single Axle Trailers.
- Tandem Trailers.
- Tie-down rails.
- Galvanised box trailers.
- Camper Trailers.
- Tradesman Trailers.
- Cage Trailers.
- Tandem boxes.
- Flat Top trailers.
- Hot-dipped galvanised trailers.
Technical Aspects of ElectroGal
The next video explains the technical aspect of ElectroGal® bolts and nuts versus hot-dipped galvanised nuts and bolts.
We have learnt that the hot-dipped process adds a thicker, uncontrolled coating to the thread and the inside of the nuts.
This enables the nut to be tight on the thread without stripping the thread. Nevertheless, no matter how careful operators are, bad threading remains a problem.
Caravan and Trailer Problems
The video shows how badly galvanised nuts and bolts will not tension correctly.
Image a rough road and vibration fatigue. What is the effect on u-bolts?
How good is cold gal paint?
Finally, I hope this series of videos and new technology helps explain various available products.
In conclusion, purchase them here if you are considering replacing your boat trailer with standard and heavy-duty U-bolts.
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