Bridges

Thermal spray coatings for bridges

Metal or thermal spraying for corrosion protection of steel is widely used in a large number of applications. One such application is to prevent corrosion of bridges.

In most cases, bridges are a significant investment and also span roads, railways or rivers making maintenance of the steel structure costly in time and money. For this reason, a high performance, proven corrosion protection coating is often required and specified. Bridges and bridge steelwork is also very large and hence metal spraying is an ideal solution.

Around the world, thermal sprayed zinc (TSZ), thermal sprayed aluminium (TSA) or thermal spray zinc/aluminium (TSZA) coatings are commonly specified and applied to give a life to first maintenance of the coating in excess of 20 years. The choice of material often depends on the environmental conditions expected for the bridge structure or sometimes local familiarity with a given material.

In the UK, the Highways Agency and Network Rail have thermal spray coatings in their specifications and these are commonly applied to road, rail, waterway and footbridges. One of the most iconic projects in the UK that was zinc sprayed by Metallisation was the Forth Road Bridge opened in 1964 – at the time the longest suspension bridge outside of the USA at 2,512m. Many hundreds of bridges have been coated since then on all continents.

As well as protection of steelwork, thermal spray coatings have also been applied onto concrete to give corrosion protection to the reinforcing bars within the concrete structure. This is commonly a repair method used to extend the life of a bridge suffering from rebar corrosion.

Thermal spray coatings are commonly applied by flame spray or arc spray methods onto both new and existing bridge structures. The case studies and examples following are just a small summary of the number and type of bridge structures that have been sprayed.

spraying-bridges

Case Studies

Thermal Spraying On The Forth Road Bridge

Thermal Spraying Stands the Test of Time – The Forth Road Bridge

Reason for use: Long term corrosion protection of structural steelwork Download PDF Related Products MK73-FS Wire Flame View Product Thermal or metal spraying steel to protect it from corrosion has always been recognised as a long-term solution for many industries. UK based Metallisation has been providing anti corrosion solutions for over 80 years, to a diverse range of industries all around the world. One of its successes is the anti corrosion protection of bridges, including the Forth Road Bridge. Most…

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Metal Spray Equipment Manufacturers

Metallisation Equipment uses TSA Coatings to Protect Footbridges

Reason for use: Corrosion protection to Network Rail N1 specification Download PDF Related Products MK73-FS Wire Flame View Product Solent Protective Coatings Limited (SPC) recently purchased additional metal spraying equipment from Metallisation in order to fulfil another contract win. SPC has been a customer of Metallisation for around two years and is a huge fan of metal spraying. The company purchased a new MK73 Flamespray system and arranged additional training for its operators to enhance their existing skills. Solent Protective Coatings won…

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Metal Spray Equipment Manufacturers

Metallisation Equipment Key to Refurbishment of Cornish Swing Bridge

Reason for use: Refurbishment and corrosion protection Download PDF The historical Ross Swing Bridge by the Isles of Scilly ferry port on Penzance sea front is currently undergoing a major refurbishment to improve its appearance, reliability and reduce the costs of future disruption and maintenance. The works are being carried out by Cornwall County Council’s contractor Cormac and part of the refurbishment includes the thermal spraying of the bridge with aluminium to protect it from corrosion. Bridge Corrosion Protection Metallisation’s…

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Example Applications

Footbridges

Footbridges

Reason for use: Long term corrosion protection Download PDF Go to the Process Page Long term corrsion protection often in inaccessible areas where regular inspection and maintenance would be costly, e.g. over railway lines or major roads. Showing a considerable development from the traditional railway footbridge, the accompanying photograph illustrates the steel footbridge erected over the railway at Hurst Green, Surrey, by South Coast Welders Ltd, to the order of the Surrey County Council. The protective treatment selected for this…

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Fence

Road and Rail Bridges

Reason for use: Long term corrosion protection in hard to access areas. Aluminium used to protect steel from road salts corrosion. Download PDF Related Products MK73-FS Wire Flame View Product Thermal or metal spraying steel to protect it from corrosion has always been recognised as a long-term solution for many industries. UK based Metallisation has been providing anti corrosion solutions for over 80 years, to a diverse range of industries all around the world. One of its successes is the…

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