At Mavin Industries in Hillcrest, QLD, we carry out all sorts of bespoke fabrication, specialising in custom transport fabrication. Given our expertise in working with steel and other metals, along with our close links to the transport industry, we are acutely aware of the importance of preventing steel corrosion. This article will list some of the most effective ways of stopping rust that may be relevant to the steel used in your business.
Modify the Design Against Rust
Believe it or not, preventing steel corrosion actually begins at the design/prototyping stage. What do we mean by that? A simple example would be avoiding areas with inadequate drainage, where moisture can pool for long periods. Metal thicknesses can even be increased to allow for a certain amount of rust without any reduced functionality.
Use Stainless Steel
While it won’t be feasible for every project, another way of stopping rust is by using stainless steel rather than non-stainless varieties. Stainless steel contains chromium (at least 11%), which makes it naturally more resistant to corrosion. Of course, this special steel’s other major selling part is its attractive lustre, which is just a bonus in this case.
Consider Galvanizing
In basic terms, galvanizing is applying a dense coating of zinc to steel. The zinc effectively “sacrifices” itself to preserve the steel underneath.
Apply Some Other Protective Coating
If you’re going to go to the trouble of commissioning top-quality custom transport fabrication (or another sort of fabrication), you should do your best to protect the item(s) in question. There are MANY options when it comes to anti-corrosion coatings – from paints to plastics to powders to waxes to oils. A firm such as ours can definitely give you advice on which barrier is optimum for a particular situation.
Control the Climatic Conditions
Corrosion usually occurs due to moisture, so it’s always worth taking whatever measures you can to control the environment in which your steel machinery – whether that be vehicles or tools or something else – operates. The goal is to keep the surface of the metal dry at all times, from water and harmful liquids such as acids. When the metal does become wet, it should ideally be dried off so the moisture doesn’t lead to oxidisation.
Be Sure to Treat Existing Rust
If you ignore rust, the chemical reaction which has caused it is likely to continue. It won’t suddenly jump to another section of the metal, in the way people occasionally imagine rust spreading. However, if left, that patch of existing rust may well act as a weak spot.
For Metal Fabrication, Especially Custom Transport Fabrication
Talk to Mavin Industries. Queensland owned and operated, we pride ourselves on delivering top work, with a fast turnaround and competitive price. Whatever your idea, from big projects to smaller ones, our team can make it a reality. We have a huge amount of experience in creating unique parts and objects for our customers—visit our website today. To chat with our team, phone (07) 3086 9203, or simply use the online enquiry form.