Allied Product Advantages

Reasons to switch to Allied’s triple coated, in-line galvanized products (Zinc FloCoat and Gatorshield)

The Bottom Line

Although there are many variables to product success, many companies who use Gatorshield & Flo-coat galvanized tubing within their product offerings have experienced proven increased success in winning new projects and streamlining workflow. This is attributed to providing their customers with an improved product quality. In addition, in many cases, overall fabrication processes are simplified, enabling a greater production window and a reduction in overall fabrication costs.

Creating Barriers for your Competitors

Gatorshield & Flo-Coat product acceptance means market dominance. Engineers, purchasing agents and even parent groups (for school playgrounds) are specifying the superior product performance of Allied Tube. Pipe, hot dip, lead content and other products not originally designed for the specific application are deemed undesirable and in many cases are no longer accepted by the educated buyer. Allied continues to develop “industry specific” products and related products which exceed current industry standards. Gatorshield & Flo-Coat continue to become the “specified norm” in many markets. Gatorshield, Flo-Coat and the Allied identities (i.e. logos) are highly recognized within many buying groups. The Allied identity is often featured within customers product catalogues, advertisements and websites as a symbol of material excellence.

Product Strength

• In the continuous in-line galvanized process, after the pipe has been formed, welded, cleaned, galvanized and quenched, it goes through a sizing operation which cold works the pipe and the zinc coating.
• This cold working substantially increases the yield and tensile strength of the finished product – typically 10%-20% over that of the base steel.
• In most cases, reduction of gauge is attainable without compromising strength – thus reducing material costs.
• Gatorshield tubing (50 ksi yield strength) is significantly stronger (66%) gauge for gauge, yet is at least 31% lighter (OD/OD) than galvanized schedule 40 pipe. Less weight means easier handling and installation in the field, particularly in areas where material handling equipment is unavailable or the site is inaccessible.

Environmental Friendliness

• Prime grade zinc.
• 99.99% pure electrolytic zinc that is virtually free of lead and cadium.
• Allied’s Flo-Coat process is safer and better for the environment. Increased Federal and EPA issues are restrictive to the hot-dipped galvanizing process. These restrictions will make hot-dip processes cost prohibitive, and may result in a decline of processors and cause availability problems.

Industry Applications – Market Success

Playground & recreational products, outdoor shelters, greenhouse, frame & awning, conveyors, dairy & farm stalls, cargo trailers, greenhouses.

Hot Dip Galvanized (HDG)

The traditional hot dip galvanize process reduces fabricators production window, requires 2-way transportation costs, increases internal product handling costs and labour. Overall operational capacity is reduced thereby restricting a companies true ability to produce quickly, especially during seasonal peaks. Also, the inconsistent aesthetic result of HDG may detract from your products final appearance. Uneven galvanized coverage, flaking and excessive overall timelines reflect poorly on any organization.

Fabrication Advantages

Flo-Coat, Gatorshield & Pre Angles

Our galvanized steel tubing/angles offer the following advantages over other zinc products…

Painting – Tube and angles are easily painted or powder coated

Our clear topcoat not only reduces the general corrosion rate of the zinc but also acts as a primer for painting or powder coating. Extensive pre-cleaning is unnecessary, and excellent adhesion is achieved, even at high baking temperatures.

Surface Appearance

Flo-Coat /Gatorshield In-Line Galvanized:

• Continuous in-line galvanized “triple-coated” tube/angle exhibits an excellent combination of smoothness, brightness and surface gloss which is maintained for an extensive period of time.
• 99.99 pure zinc applied at high speeds allowing immediate application of second conversion coat over the zinc surface. This prevents the highly reactive and freshly galvanized surface from any appreciable oxidization prior to conversion coating. Application of the third coat, a clear organic topcoat, and curing of the same film at high speed, ensure proper sealing of the conversion coating.

Hot Dip Galvanized:

• Surface has “frost flower” appearance or spangled pattern which quickly develops a “dull grey patina”.
• Patches of “white rust” normally develop after short-term outdoor application.
• Range of surface defects is also visible on piping including bare spots, dross protrusions, flux, ash inclusions and general roughness.

Corrosion Protection

The corrosion rate of a galvanized surface is greatly influenced by humidity and temperature.Zinc corrosion in industrial and coastal areas is highly accelerated due to the presence of sulfur dioxide, sulfate compounds and also by the chrolide compounds present in the air, soil and water.

Flo-Coat /Gatorshield In-Line Galvanized:

• Coatings are formulated with special rust corrosion inhibiting chemical additives to delay white rust formation.
• Due to the presence of the clear barrier coating on the surface, the attack of condensed moisture or rain is substantially slowed by the triple-coat product.
• Allied galvanized tubing products resist rust and corrosion at least 45% longer than hot-dipped galvanized schedule 40 pipe.
• Salt Spray results provide clinical evidence of superior performance.