The Role of Galvanizing in Durable Road Safety Equipment
When it comes to metal road safety infrastructure, galvanizing plays a critical role in ensuring longevity, reliability, and rust prevention. This protective coating significantly extends the lifespan of these vital road safety features, reducing the need for frequent replacements and improving overall safety.
In this article, the experts at Armco Superlite explore how galvanizing protects this infrastructure for 80 years or more, and how the process contributes to environmental sustainability.
How Galvanizing Protects Road Safety Equipment
Galvanizing is the process of applying a protective zinc coating to steel or iron, and it is an effective method of preventing corrosion caused by environmental exposure. When guardrails or wire rope safety fences are exposed to weather elements such as rain, humidity, sea salt, and other harsh conditions, they are prone to rust and deterioration over time. Galvanisation provides a barrier between the metal and the elements, preventing direct exposure to moisture and oxygen, which would otherwise cause oxidisation.
The benefits of this process include durability and reduced maintenance. For example, galvanized W-Beam guardrails, which are essential in absorbing the impact of vehicles and preventing accidents, retain their structural integrity for decades, even in harsh weather conditions. Similarly, wire rope safety fences, installed along highways to prevent vehicles from veering off course, are often exposed to continuous wear. The zinc coating prevents corrosion, ensuring these systems remain effective for longer periods.
Equally, delineators blades, which are used to mark lanes and guide drivers, also benefit from galvanizing. The coating helps prevent the blades from becoming brittle or deteriorating due to exposure to UV rays, moisture, or other chemicals. Galvanized delineators maintain their reflectivity and structural stability, enhancing road safety.
The Environmental Benefits of Galvanisation
One of the most significant advantages of the galvanisation of road safety equipment is its positive impact on environmental sustainability. By extending the lifespan of road safety products, the galvanisation process helps reduce the frequency of replacements, which, in turn, reduces the amount of waste generated. Less frequent replacements mean fewer resources are used in manufacturing and transporting new components, leading to a reduction in the carbon footprint associated with road safety infrastructure.
Additionally, the longevity of these products reduces the need for maintenance. Regular maintenance often involves chemical treatments and other processes that can harm the environment. Galvanisation minimises these needs, contributing to an eco-friendly solution for road safety.
Furthermore, zinc and steel—the core materials used in the galvanisation process—are recyclable resources. Zinc coatings can be reclaimed and reused at the end of a product’s lifecycle, further promoting sustainability. By using galvanized products in road safety equipment, municipalities and organisations can align their infrastructure projects with green principles, making a tangible contribution to environmental preservation.
Armco Superlite: Leaders in Galvanizing Excellence
At Armco Superlite, we are the leading producer and supplier of superior-quality galvanized steel products. From corrugated culverts and stockpile tunnels to construction components and road safety equipment, we can accommodate any undertaking, regardless of scale. We strive to provide the highest standards in the industry, ensuring that every project meets our rigorous specifications and quality requirements.
Further, we adhere to the BSI ISO 9001:2015 quality management system, which ensures the excellence of all our products and services.
Moreover, we proudly boast the SATAS mark for Hot-Dipped Galvanizing. This mark guarantees that all galvanisation performed at either of our two production sites, conveniently located in Isando and Randfontein, is in strict accordance with the SANS 121 / ISO 1461 specifications. Additionally, we can accommodate lengths of up to 13m and widths of up to 2m.
With these stamps of approval, combined with our exceptional attention to detail and unsurpassed service excellence, you can trust that every galvanized product leaving our premises is of the highest quality, engineered to stand the test of time and provide the protection needed for all your steel galvanisation requirements.
So, regardless of your next project, if you are considering the galvanising of your metal components for durability and longevity, consult with us today for long-lasting and sustainable solutions.