Have you ever wondered if the finish on your racking mesh is the best finish to use? Have you ever considered the pros and cons of each finish? Well, as always, it depends, but in this article, we are going to cover the three most common finishes to allow you to make an informed decision depending on the requirements of the project.

Pre-galvanised racking mesh:

Pre-galvanised steel is formed by running carbon steel wire through a bath of zinc. The excess zinc is removed from the wire, creating a smooth finish. The finish provides a barrier against the elements that cause corrosion when mixed with the iron in the steel. Pre-galvanised racking mesh is a good choice for most typical warehouse applications. 

The pre-galvanised finish is most popular on our easySHELF™ wire mesh deck range. It copes well with the high volume of products being loaded and unloaded whilst being the most cost-effective choice.

Benefits of pre-galvanised steel:

  • Improved corrosion resistance
  • Cost-effective
  • Better appearance for a longer time (reduced rusting)
  • Increased pressure ratings

Hot-dipped galvanised

Hot-dipped galvanised racking mesh involves a deep chemical cleaning prior to the coating process. This allows for stronger bonds to form between the steel and the zinc coating. This process is always done at the end of the production process so there will never be any exposed areas of steel which increases its life span. When clean steel is immersed in molten zinc, a series of zinc-iron alloy layers are formed by a metallurgical reaction, providing a durable coating which is an integral part of the steel.

Hot-dipped is highly recommended for use in cold and damp environments as it will not lose its structural integrity in these conditions. This is the most popular finish for wire mesh solutions that are going to be outdoors.

Benefits of hot-dip-galvanised steel:

  • Corrosion resistant
  • Long-lasting
  • Preserves the structural integrity of the wire
  • Can withstand cold & damp environments

Powder-coated

Powder coating is a dry finishing process used to finish most of our storGUARD, rackGUARDIAN and some of our quick stock wire mesh decks. Firstly, the product goes through a first stage of pre-wash and then into the wash plant where the unwanted chemicals like rust and grease are removed from the steel. The mesh then goes into a dry-off oven which heats the metal to around 160°, which allows the powder to stick better.

Now the product is prepped, it can go into the powder booth. The product itself is positively charged, and the powder is negatively charged, which makes it stick to the surface of the metal. The product then enters the curing oven. The heat bakes the powder and allows it to set.

This method is often the preferred choice when the aesthetics of the warehouse is a concern. We typically powder coat all of our products in a RAL 7042 (traffic grey). However, we can offer any RAL colour at an additional price; this can be a handy way to get your branding across in your warehouse.

Benefits of powder-coated wire:

  • Long-lasting
  • Aesthetically pleasing
  • Removes sharp edges

QTS can supply all of these coatings on your products. We purchase pre-galvanised steel as standard and have an in-house powder coating machine. Hot-dipped galvanisation is a process that we outsource so may increase cost and lead time. Get a quote from one of our sales team by filling in the form below…

Posted on 17 August 2021 in Product Design