Wuppermann produces steel strip with maximum corrosion protection using WZMax. WZMax is produced in Wuppermann's continuous strip galvanising plants using the so-called "heat-to-coat process". The high level of corrosion protection is due to the special chemical composition, which, in addition to zinc, consists of approx. 3 % magnesium and approx. 3.3 % aluminium. This creates a stable, dense and durable protective layer that allows the steel to be used in the most adverse environments.
WZMax scores with significantly lower CO2 emissions and resource conservation. Added to this are positive properties during further processing, for example the increased protection at cut edges and scratches due to a "self-healing" effect.
WZMax is thus the preferred material for the steel beams on photovoltaic fields. Thanks to its enormous corrosion resistance, WZMax is also used, for example, in silos as well as for road crash barriers and in the construction industry.
Wherever extreme conditions prevail, WZMax is the best solution, with coatings of up to 1,200 g/m2.
WZMax – Advantages at a glance
- Excellent corrosion protection
- Excellent edge protection
- Improved production conditions
- Product in terms of sustainability
- Shorter supply chain and improved cost effectiveness
- Certified via EN 10346
WZMax – Excellent corrosion protection
Wuppermann's WZMax zinc-magnesium coating is distinguished from conventional protection methods by the fact that the process has improved product properties compared to steel strip with zinc coatings. The advantages become particularly clear in the so-called salt spray test.
The outdoor weathering tests also illustrate the advantages of WZMax. Compared to zinc coatings and taking into account various atmospheric environmental influences, the following applies: With the same coating thickness, a WZMax alloy protects at least twice as well against corrosion as conventional zinc. Due to the improved corrosion resistance of the WZMax alloy, the layer thickness can be halved.
WZMax – Cathodic edge protection
Rounding off refers to the machine processing of the longitudinal edges of longitudinally split, galvanised steel strip. The galvanised slit strip is continuously fed through the machine with appropriately positioned steel rollers. In the process, the sometimes sharp cut edges are formed. The zinc or zinc-magnesium coating in the edge zone is also plastically deformed during this process and virtually flows over the edge. This allows the corrosion protection to be extended beyond the edges and the so-called cathodic edge protection to be strengthened or, in the case of thicker slit strips, to be brought about.
The WZMax coating even ranks ahead of zinc in the electrochemical voltage series. The melt solidified in equilibrium (eutectic) therefore has a higher normal potential than zinc and is therefore even more active and effective in corrosion protection than the zinc coating. Zinc "sacrifices" itself as a less noble metal and protects the steel against red rust formation through an electrochemical active process during natural weathering.
It is almost impossible for the environment to penetrate the WZMax coating.
WZMax – Improved production capabilities
The WZMax alloy convinces with better friction, wear and sliding properties. In press shops and profiling plants, this results in savings in energy and material use, production and maintenance. At the same time, occupational safety is improved.
Advantages in brief:
- Good forming properties due to lower coefficients of friction à The thin metallic WZMax coating adheres perfectly to the steel strip, which thus also allows complex deformations.
- Lower drive power of the machine motors
- Minimal tool wear
- Longer maintenance intervals of the machines
- Lower noise level during production
- Less contamination of the production tools and machines
WZMax – Product in terms of sustainability
Wuppermann understands sustainability as a form of ecological and economic action that ensures comparable or better living conditions for present and future generations. WZMax-treated steels are 100% recyclable, they do not contain any harmful substances and are compliant with the European "REACH" and "ROHS" directives. In addition, the so-called wash-off rate, i.e. the removal of a WZMax coating by rainwater into the soil, is considerably lower than with a zinc coating. One of the most significant advantages is the halving of the layer thickness compared to a zinc coating. The halving is feasible due to the improved corrosion resistance.
WZMax – Shorter supply chain and improved profitability
The simple production process shortens the delivery time. At the same time, WZMax is cost-effective compared to stainless steel and aluminium. Repainting is not necessary with WZMax , so maintenance costs are also reduced.
Technologically, a distinction is made between the batch galvanizing process and the continuous strip galvanizing process. To put it simply, in the traditional piece galvanising process, already formed components are dipped into a zinc bath, whereas in the continuous process, the zinc is applied to the still flat strip steel and the shaping into the profile only takes place after the galvanizing process. The continuous process has several advantages.
The zinc layer is applied to the preheated steel strip within a few moments. The zinc layer thickness can be adjusted continuously from 50 g/m² to 1200 g/m² using so-called "air knives" and is independent of the thickness of the steel strip. This means that even very thin steel can be provided with very high zinc coating thicknesses and can be used in particularly harsh environmental conditions.
WZMax – Certified via EN 10346
Coating weights of up to 1,000 g/m2 give WZMax coated, cold-formed products a theoretical protection period of over 50 years. For WZMax1000, the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt) has granted building authority approval for corrosivity category C5-H. Meanwhile, Wuppermann Austria GmbH in Judenburg is already producing WZMax1200.
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