Since the day it was introduced to the market back in 1994 ZINCALUME® has been a product of choice for New Zealanders seeking a blend of durability and aesthetic appeal.    

Features

Corrosion Resistance

ZINCALUME® coated steel has superior long term corrosion resistance in most atmospheric conditions. This is achieved through the combination of the sacrificial protection of the zinc and the barrier protection of the aluminium. Test sites from around the world over a period of 25 years have provided a wealth of information about comparative performance of galvanised and ZINCALUME® coated steel products. Test sites are placed in many different environments, ranging from typical rural to severe marine. Corrosion rates are determined by exposing samples of ZINCALUME® coated steel and galvanised steel on standard test racks and regularly monitoring the coating performance over a number of years.

Though corrosion rates vary according to the severity of conditions, ZINCALUME® steel coatings out-perform galvanised coatings in almost all environments. This is particularly true in marine environments where ZINCALUME® coated steel will provide a significantly longer service life than galvanised steel. For more information see the Environmental Categories, Warranty & Product Maintenance Recommendation Brochure.

Appearance

ZINCALUME® coated steel has a finely spangled silvery matt finish. After exposure the surface finish darkens over time as the resin coating weathers away. This change is a natural one and is visual only. The protective properties of the product are not affected.

Painting

ZINCALUME® coated steel is readily paintable using good quality primers and water-based acrylic topcoats. Paint manufacturers' instructions should be followed.

Dirt, grease and any loose materials must be cleaned off so the surface is clean and dry prior to the first coat being applied.

Unwashed Areas

Compared to galvanised steel, ZINCALUME® coated steel performs exceptionally well in areas not regularly washed by rainwater. However, as with any steel based product, regular washing of areas not naturally rain washed is essential to ensure that a satisfactory life is realised from the product.

Rainwater Systems

Rainwater collected from roofs clad with products made from GALVSTEEL™, ZINCALUME® coated steel and COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel, will comply with the provisions of NZBC G12.3.1, provided the water is not contaminated from other sources.

The first 25 mm of rainfall from a newly installed roof must be discarded before drinking water collection starts. Where a paint or paint system is applied to the roof, its suitability for the collection of drinking water must be established from the manufacturer.

Fire Testing

New Zealand Steel’s coated products have been tested in accordance with ISO 5660 Part 1 and Part 2 by CSIRO – Materials Science and Engineering, North Ryde, NSW, Australia.

The tests were performed in accordance with International Standard ISO 5660-1:2002 Reaction to fire tests – Heat Release, smoke production and mass loss rate – Part 1: Heat release rate (cone calorimeter method) and Part 2: Smoke production rate (dynamic measurement). All test specimens were exposed in the horizontal orientation with standard pilot operating.

The Group number was determined in accordance with Verification Method C/VM2 Appendix A Paragraph A1.2 and Paragraph A1.3 of the New Zealand Building Code. The Average specific extinction area was determined in accordance with Verification Method C/VM2 Appendix A Paragraph A1.2 of the New Zealand Building Code.

Guidelines

Working With ZINCALUME® Steel

ZINCALUME® steel and galvanised products have very similar working characteristics. However, you should be aware of a few characteristics of ZINCALUME® steel.

Protection At Cut Edges

At the cut edge, ZINCALUME® steel provides similar protection to galvanised coatings. The zinc/aluminium alloy coating of ZINCALUME® steel provides galvanic protection to bare steel exposed at cut edges and by deep scratches.

Passivation

Surface passivation enhances the protection of the galvanised and ZINCALUME® steel product during storage, forming, handling and fixing. It largely eliminates the need for rollforming oils, offers improved wet stack corrosion resistance and generally makes the product more mark resistant during handling and fixing.

Handling & Storing

The normal storage care, site cleanliness and installation procedures used for GALVSTEEL® products apply to ZINCALUME® steel products. Although passivation provides improved protection during storage, care should still be taken. If ZINCALUME® steel becomes wet during storage, the product should be immediately separated, wiped with a clean cloth and placed in a position where it can completely air dry.

Forming

As with GALVSTEEL®, ZINCALUME® steel is suitable for all but the most severe forming operations. With ZINCALUME® steel, the passivation system acts as a dry lubricant and in most cases will eliminate the need for additional lubrication in most forming operations. Solvent-based lubricants must not be used.

Welding

ZINCALUME® steel can be satisfactorily welded using the following techniques:

• GMA (Gas Metal-Arc, often called MIG)
• Resistance welding (spot or seam)
• MMA (Manual Metal-Arc)

When welding ZINCALUME® steel, excessive weld currents must be avoided. With correct welding procedures, sufficient coating is normally left on the ZINCALUME® steel sheet to protect the substrate from corrosion.Weld repair should be carried out by coating with a zinc-rich paint. Adequate ventilation must be provided even though the welding of ZINCALUME® steel gives off fewer fumes than galvanised steel.

Joining & Sealing

ZINCALUME® steel cannot be soldered. Join ZINCALUME® steel in the same way as recommended for COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel products. Use a neutral cure silicone sealant in conjunction with mechanical fasteners such as blind rivets. Care should be exercised in the choice of rivets.

Aluminium rivets are recommended. Monel, stainless steel and carbon steel rivets must not be used.

Fasteners

Most fasteners complying with the corrosion requirements of Australian Standard AS3566 "Screws – Self-drilling for the building and construction industry" are suitable for use with ZINCALUME® steel.

• Stainless steel fasteners should not be used with ZINCALUME® steel or COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel products in any environment
• Lead headed nails must not be used
• Use only low carbon (< 15%) non–conductive sealing washers

Flashings & Accessories

Flashings and ridge capping should be manufactured from the same coating system as used for the main roof area to ensure equal durability for COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel and ZINCALUME® steel products. Extended ridge caps, soft zinc, or practices such as cutting and notching are recommended.

Where penetration flashings are required, neoprene or silicone rubber, EPDM aluminium or soft zinc all give excellent performance.

Marking ZINCALUME® Steel

Black lead pencils must never be used for marking GALVSTEEL®, ZINCALUME® steel or COLORSTEEL® prepainted steel products. The carbon in the pencil promotes corrosion which will etch the surface, leaving a permanent mark. Use a pencil of any colour.

INFORMATION TO HELP YOU AVOID PROBLEMS

In almost all applications, ZINCALUME® steel will out-perform galvanised steel. There are however, a small number of applications for which galvanised steel is more suitable. ZINCALUME® steel must not be used for:

• Formwork in contact with wet concrete
• Products to be embedded in concrete. However, where very small volumes of concrete are involved (eg splashes) which are able to cure quickly, there is little corrosive effect
• Animal shelters where ammonia levels are constantly high
• Fertiliser storage sheds and containers
• Culverts, or where ZINCALUME® steel material is buried in the ground
• Water tanks
• Highly alkaline environments (eg cement manufacture)
• Coolroom products

Where ZINCALUME® Steel Shows Its Versatility

The attributes of ZINCALUME® steel ensure its suitability for many applications. Its ability to take on a variety of colours and shapes will provide constant inspiration for product designers in virtually every field.

Maintenance

All roofing and cladding products are subject to the cumulative effects of weather, dust and other deposits. Normal rain washing will remove most accumulated atmospheric contaminants from roofs. For wall cladding, manual washing every 3 to 12 months, depending on the paint system, is recommended in moderate to very severe environments to prevent accumulation of dirt, debris or other material not removed by rain washing.

For areas that do not receive any or adequate rain washing (called unwashed areas) such as soffits, wall cladding under eaves, underside of gutters, fascias, sheltered areas of garage doors and unwashed roof areas, more extensive manual washing is required. Similarly, other High Risk areas, around flues, under television aerials or overhanging trees and sites prone to mould, lichen, bird droppings or debris, need to have extensive manual washing.

Regular washing of steel products increases the durability by reducing attack from airborne salts and pollutants. Steel surfaces should be manually washed with water and a sponge or a soft nylon-bristled brush. For large areas it may be more appropriate to use water blasting at pressures up to 20 Mpa.

If New Zealand Steel Limited products are maintained according to the following recommendations, the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code B2 for 15 year durability for roofs and exterior walls will be met or exceeded.

Note:

1. The New Zealand Building Code durability requirement does not include aesthetic appearance.
2. The New Zealand Building Code requires a durability of 15 years minimum (with maintenance) for roofing, including valleys, and wall cladding products. This means no moisture penetration due to product failure.
3. The New Zealand Building Code requires a durability of 5 years minimum (with maintenance) for rainwater products, gutters and downpipes. This means no perforation due to product failure.
4. New Zealand Steel Limited products are designed to exceed the New Zealand Building Code B2: durability requirements. Continued maintenance and overpainting will greatly extend the ultimate life of all products.
5. Where a 50 year durability is required OR where a product is to be used in aggressive internal environments, New Zealand Steel Limited should be consulted.
6. In Industrial Environments, the type of pollution generated may alter the above recommendations.

If in doubt, consult New Zealand Steel Limited. The maintenance information in the Environmental Categories, Warranties and Product Maintenance Recommendation Brochure is for guidance only. Each proprietary building product should carry its own manufacturers’ recommendations for usage.

New Zealand Steel Limited will not accept responsibility for proprietary roofing and cladding products which do not conform to our recommendations for manufacturing, environmental use or maintenance.

Warranty

New Zealand has a wide range of environmental conditions, from the harsh West Coast beaches, to the relative shelter of the Waikato farming region. New Zealand Steel Limited offers a range of coated steel products, that are suitable for most locations.

Moderate Inland - ISO Category 2

Characterised by:

• No obvious marine or industrial influences
• Typically more than 1000 meters from exposed coasts or more than 500 meters from industrial emissions.

Moderate Coastal - ISO Category 3

Characterised by:

• Little or no salt deposits
• The occasional smell of salt spray in the air.
• Typically starts 500 - 1000 meters from breaking surf such as is found on exposed coasts OR in the immediate vicinity of calm salt water such as estuaries

Severe - ISO Category 4

Characterised by:

• Light salt deposits.
• A frequent smell of salt spray in the air.
• Typically starts 100 - 500 meters from breaking surf such as is found on exposed coasts.
• In the immediate vicinity of large expanses of calm salt water such as harbour foreshores.

This environment may be extended inland by prevailing winds and local conditions.

Very Severe - ISO Category 5

50m from high water on East Coast, 100m from high water on West Coast. Characterised by:

• Heavy salt deposits
• The almost constant smell of salt spray in the air
• Close to breaking surf (typically starts 50 – 100 metres) such as is found on exposed coasts.

This environment may be extended inland by prevailing winds and local conditions.