Engineering components manufacturer Bearing Man Group’s (BMG’s) range of sealing products includes the Rust-Anode cold galvanisation system, designed for rust prevention in diverse industries, says BMG seals business unit manager Marc Gravett.

He explains that Rust-Anode is the first active cold galvanising system that offers up to 96% zinc in the dry film and can measure a 1 060 mV potential providing identical protection for hot dip galvanising.

Gravett notes that Rust-Anode is perfect for applications where an anticorrosion seal would be beneficial. These applications include coating the two joints of supporting steelwork, pilings, water tanks, chemical storage tanks, military vehicles, hangars, ships, electrical transmission towers, oil rigs and agricultural equipment.

He notes that companies have, in the past six months, used Rust-Anode for mining applications on equipment and structures above and below ground, as well as on steel structures and equipment, marine barges, agricultural equipment and engineering structures.

“Rust-Anode – a single-component, cold zinc-rich coating that protects steel surfaces electrochemically – is vastly different from anticorrosion paints in terms of the composition of the material and its protection methods,” says Gravett.

“Unlike conventional antirust paints, which eventually decompose and crack, Rust-Anode prevents rust formation and inhibits the spreading of pre-existing rust.”

He states that Rust-Anode is preferred to the hot dip galvanisation process for steel constructions, because the hot dip bath can deform light structures.

Rust-Anode and Rust-Anode Primer, with high resistance to corrosion and abrasion, can be used as a primer or as a duplex system with a compatible topcoat. The zinc-grey material, of both products, is applied directly onto a clean or rusted steel surface using a brush, roller or any spraying technique.

A layer of iron hydroxide is formed between the Rust-Anode and the steel surface, acting as an oxidation inhibitor, to prevent rust formation.

Gravett notes that the product provides cathodic protection identical to hot dip galvanising, where the lifetime expectation is between 10 and 50 years, adding that there is currently no “equivalent product” available on the market.

Further, the application of a compatible topcoat over Rust-Anode can increase this service life about two-and-a-half times.

Gravett says Rust-Anode has a scratch protection of up to 4 mm deep and does not require any chemical processes or surface preparation prior to application. However, “the steel should be brushed, clean and contamination free”.

Rust-Anode and Rust-Anode Primer are nontoxic and nonflammable when dry. They have “excellent” resistance to corrosive marine environments and are not affected by ultraviolet light. These coatings can be applied from a 5.5 pH to 12.5 pH atmosphere range for resistance to acids and alkaline compounds. Other applications include cement factories, paper mills, railways, pipelines, bridges and electricity pylons.

Gravett concludes that BMG supports this range with a technical advisory and support service across sub-Saharan Africa.