Electrical infrastructure operates continuously under demanding environmental conditions. Transmission lines, substations, transformers and towers are exposed to permanent humidity, rain, industrial contamination, UV radiation and constant thermal cycling.
In that environment, the components that support and connect that infrastructure — bolts, nuts, washers, hardware, fittings and clamps — play a critical role. Their failure is not a minor issue. It can compromise conductivity, cause service interruptions and affect the safety of the entire installation.
Choosing the right anti-corrosion coating for these components directly impacts asset service life, maintenance costs and continuity of electrical supply.
The problem with traditional coatings
For decades, hot-dip galvanizing was the standard treatment in the electrical industry. It is a proven technology, widely available and low cost. However, it has concrete limitations when applied to precision components like those used in this industry.
Washers and flat components sticking together. Molten zinc, as it solidifies, bonds flat components to each other. Washers, plates and clamps come out of the process stuck together and must be separated manually. This generates rework, lost productivity and the risk of damaging components during separation.
Blocked threaded components. The thickness of hot-dip galvanizing is difficult to control precisely. On threaded components, that excess material alters thread tolerances, makes assembly difficult and frequently requires a post-process thread repair. That additional operation consumes time, adds cost and can compromise the mechanical properties of the component.
Thickness variability on complex geometries. Complex geometries — cavities, angles, hard-to-reach areas — receive irregular coverage with hot-dip galvanizing. This creates points of insufficient protection where corrosion can initiate prematurely.
The solution: Laurentcoat® zinc flake
Faced with these limitations, the electrical industry is migrating toward zinc flake coatings. Laurentcoat® is the zinc flake technology developed by Chousa, specifically suited for the components demanded by this sector.
Its dip-spin application process — immersion and centrifuging followed by thermal curing — guarantees uniform coverage on all types of geometries, including threads, cavities and flat components.
Concrete advantages for the electrical industry:
No stuck washers. Flat components come out of the process separated and ready to use. No rework, no manual separation, no lost productivity.
No thread repair. The controlled thickness of between 5 and 12 microns does not alter the dimensional tolerances of threaded components. Assembly is direct, with no additional operations required.
High corrosion resistance. Up to 1,000 hours in salt spray testing (ASTM B117), well above traditional treatments. This translates into longer component service life and reduced maintenance frequency.
Uniform coverage on complex geometries. Dip-spin application guarantees consistent protection across all areas of the component, including hard-to-reach zones.
Standards and specifications met by Laurentcoat®
For procurement and engineering teams that need to verify regulatory compliance before specifying a treatment, Laurentcoat® complies with the following standards:
- ASTM F1136
- ISO 10683
- EDENOR 1500 – ET-100048
- EDESUR 15000
- EN 13858
This regulatory compliance facilitates technical approval, simplifies integration into supply chains and reduces inspection times on electrical infrastructure projects.
Conclusion
The hardware, fasteners and fittings used in electrical infrastructure operate under conditions that leave no room for error. Choosing the right anti-corrosion coating is not an administrative formality. It is a technical decision that directly impacts system reliability, operating costs and installation safety.
Laurentcoat® zinc flake offers a concrete solution to the most common problems of traditional coatings in this industry: no stuck components, no thread repair and up to 1,000 hours of protection.
Do you manufacture hardware, fasteners or fittings for the electrical industry and want to evaluate whether Laurentcoat® applies to your process?
Contact us at info@chousa.com.ar and connect with our technical team.
