BEYOND SURFACES

Solutions FIghTIng CARgo ConTAIneR RUST Environmental and industrial corrosive elements can shorten the useful lives of shipping containers. Oerlikon Metco’s thermal spray technology protects containers and their contents and reduces costs associated with liability, depreciation, repair or replacement. To protect their contents and arrive at their destinations safe and intact, shipping containers must be able to withstand corrosive elements present in natural and industrial environments. Paint — which is susceptible to chipping during transport — cannot get the job done. But zinc, aluminum, or zinc-aluminum coatings applied using Oerlikon Metco’s thermal spray technology can shield containers from corrosion for up to 25 years. Electric arc wire spraying eliminates the need for gases and relies only on compressed air and electricity. Because it does not leave the “greasy” surface commonly found with hot dip galvanizing, an overcoat of paint can be added immediately without any loss of corrosion protection. The technology delivers an easy, economical coating process that can be completed without disassembling the container. With an average coating thickness of 100 µm (approximately 1 kg of material per m 2 of surface area) the process doesn’t add substantially to container weight, which creates a further cost advantage. The benefits extend to the goods being shipped, as the external coating guards against damage to the containers’ contents. Oerlikon Metco technology thus supports shippers’ tar- gets for reduced external and internal damage, lower maintenance costs, and improved operating performance. Beyond SURFACeS 02|2020 11