After 17 years of development and field testing, BlueScope Steel has developed Activate technology for use in the coating of Zincalume steel (AM125) making it more durable and more resilient than original Zincalume steel.
The improved version featuring the new corrosion-resistant coating will be backed by increased manufacturer warranties from its official launch in August 2013.
This includes, for the first time, a 10-year warranty on roofing applications located 100 to 200 metres from severe marine influences.
BlueScope Steel's patented Activate technology incorporates magnesium with Zincalume steel's existing aluminium/zinc alloy coating, which improves galvanic protection by activating the aluminium.
This enhances corrosion resistance which results in a longer lasting product.
Manu Siitonen, BlueScope Steel market manager – commercial and industrial, explained that the maximum warranty period for roofing applications more than five kilometres from severe marine influences will increase from up to 30 years to up to 36 years.
The superior corrosion resistance of the new product was confirmed via independent testing conducted by the internationally recognised French Corrosion Institute.
BlueScope Steel's durability testing involved more than 5000 panels in a variety of laboratory and 'real world' climatic conditions including sites in Australia, China, the United States and New Zealand.
A range of applications were tested on five purpose built test structures located in various real world environments, including 50 on actual building sites.