Zingard Frequently Asked Questions
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Q. What exactly is ZINGARD?
A. It is an organic, single-component zinc coating containing a minimum of 96% pure zinc when dry, which requires no mixing with other chemicals to make it cure.
Q. Is it a paint?
A. No, it is a zinc coating which is a form of liquid galvanizing.
Q. How is it not a paint if it is a liquid?
A. Zingard is an active coating, not just a barrier like a paint. Zingard does not behave like a paint e.g. it does not form loose ‘runs’ easily, it does not go ‘blotchy’ in damp conditions, and it does not go onto surfaces and remain wet like paint does. It also does not go on ‘tacky’ like paint.
Q. Does Zingard contain the same solvents as paints?
A. The aromatic solvent blend found in Zingard does not contain benzene, xylene, toluene, MEK, methyl-chloride etc. which make up many industrial solvent blends. Zingard is totally non-toxic when dry.
Q. If it cannot be compared to paint, what can it be compared to?
A. Hot-dip galvanizing, although, weight for weight, Zingard consistently out-lasts hot-dip. There is also no risk of distortion on thin materials or gassing in sealed tubular sections, which normally have to be drilled out before being hot-dipped. Zingarded steelwork has no risk of hydrogen-induced cracking to any welds.
Q. How does Zingard work?
A. It reacts with the parent metal to form an electrolytic bond, which results in a potential of 1040mV between the steel and the zinc. Once the steelwork becomes wet, the zinc ions go into dissolution and the current begins to flow from the zinc to the steel, depleting the zinc layer and protecting the steel beneath.
Q. What if Zingard is scratched through to the bare metal?
A. Zingard has a 3 – 5mm ‘throw’, which means that unprotected metal up to 3 – 5 mm away from a Zingarded surface will be protected. It will form a layer of surface rust, but there will be no pitting beneath the rust. On small areas like scratches and chips, the surface will often go a light brown-grey colour.
Q. Why won’t Zingard allow rust creepage beneath its coating?
A. It is because every square millimeter that has been coated has a charge flowing continually between the zinc and the steel, so there is no chance for any corrosion to begin underneath a Zingard layer. The high potential difference between the two metals ensures that there is always a strong flow of electrons.
Q. Is Zingard certified for use with potable water?
A. Yes. Zingard is certified to the new BS6920(2000).
Q. Is Zingard fireproof?
A. Yes. Zingard is certified to BS476 parts 6&7. This means that a dry Zingard coating will neither propagate a fire or cause one to spread, hence its use in the London Underground for 9 years, and its increasing use offshore and by the MoD.
Q. How does Zingard compare to hot-dip galvanizing?
A. After comparative usage on marine projects, Zingard out-lasts hot-dip galvanizing by approximately 10% in marine conditions. In normal atmospheric conditions the two coatings are very similar in lifespan.
Q. If Zingard is a liquid coating, it surely cannot compare to the mechanical properties of hot-dip galvanizing?
A. It does! Zingard has been used to galvanize chains and bolts for marine use. Zingard is also far more flexible and will withstand extreme distortion.
Q. Can you weld Zingarded steelwork?
A. Yes. Zingardised steel with up to 60μm can be MIG or arc welded to x-ray standard, with no porosity in the welds.
Q. What about paint top-coats?
A. Zingard can be coated with compatible epoxies, polyurethanes, chlorinated rubbers, vinyls and all water-based coatings. Not everyone likes a grey colour! Please check with the technical division for details.
Q. What surface preparation is required before applying Zingard?
A. Grit-blast to SA 2.5 (SSPC-SP6) or slurry-blast to WJ-1 (NACE-5/SSPC-SP12), with a blast-profile of Rz 50-80μm and a roughness of Ra 12.5-15μm (ISO 8503-1). Please see the various specifications to ensure the right surface preparation is achieved for any particular application.
Q. But isn’t Zingard useful as an anti-fouling coating?
A. Yes, but it does not leech out poisons, or manufacture toxic chemicals by hydro-speed-induced-electrolysis like some modern marine coatings. Zingard can behave as an anti-foulant because marine organisms neither like the current that naturally flows through the Zingard layer nor the taste of zinc.
Q. What is the service ceiling for operating temperatures?
A. Normally 160°C, with its lowest working temperature at -40°C.
Q. Can Zingard be measured for wet and dry film thickness?
A. Zingard cannot be measured wet, because it ‘flattens off’ so rapidly. After it has dried, it can be measured with a standard measuring instrument i.e. Elcometer 345.
Q. If Zingard is so good, why haven't I heard about it before?
A. Although Zingard has been used globally for over twenty years, it has never been actively marketed in the UK.