http://www.myettnews.com The Trailer Industry Starts Here! Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:29:48 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 http://www.myettnews.com/2009/01/win-the-fight-against-corrosion/ http://www.myettnews.com/2009/01/win-the-fight-against-corrosion/#comments Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:19:21 +0000 Rhonda Flathman http://www.myettnews.com.php5-4.websitetestlink.com/?p=143 The Federal Highway Administration estimates that corrosion costs the nation’s transportation industry and its infrastructure $30 billion each year. Road salt chemicals are to blame. The most destructive chemicals are magnesium chloride and calcium chloride because they cling to the underbody of vehicles and re-crystallize as they slowly dry out. These chemical crystals attract and absorb moisture from the surrounding environment, keeping them in semi-solution for extended periods of time, which multiplies their corrosive nature. The good news is trailer makers and suppliers have solutions. Trailer technology advancements Trailer and component manufacturers have been working on products that help combat the destructive effects of those chemicals. For instance, the engineering experts at Great Dane have developed undercoating compounds specifically designed to provide a protective barrier against this harsh environment. CorroGuard, the company’s newest defense against corrosion, is a spray-in-place thermoplastic coating that protects the undercarriage. Not only does it protect against harmful road chemicals and temperature extremes, but also it provides an air- and water-tight seal that will not peel, crack, flake or split. The coating is also pliable over time and can withstand prolonged UV exposure. Corrosion-resistant paint products already in use at Great Dane are Valpar’s Dry-Flex undercoat, a soft and flexible film that’s designed to resist stone chipping and temperature extremes while blocking moisture from reaching the steel components of the underbody. Crossmembers are dipped in a specially formulated, high-temperature, hot-melt wax compound that effectively blocks corrosion by sealing the steel from the environment, the company says. Vanguard National Trailer Corp. has identified a number of areas where corrosion resistance is essential and has incorporated appropriate design elements in its VXP Composite Plate and VIP 4000 and MaxCube freight vans. For example, galvanized materials are standard on all three of its models for rear frames, including gussets, rear underride guards, threshold plates, front aprons on the upper coupler, landing-gear brackets and bracing, mud-flap brackets, front wall posts, internal bulkheads, roof bows and logistics posts. The company’s trailers also feature a galvanized steel scuff band above an extruded aluminum inner base rail, as well as extruded aluminum front top rails and radius corners. The trailers maker also uses a galvanized, one-piece front understructure between the upper coupler and the landing gear and galvanized air/electrical channels on each side to protect those system components against the effect of road de-icing chemicals. To prevent galvanic corrosion at the bottom of plymetal construction doors, Wabash National Corp. said it has eliminated plywood from its rear doors and is using a foamed polyethylene core similar to that used in its Duraplate composite sidewalls. The material does not absorb moisture and has the added benefit of allowing door seals to be screwed in place. By contrast, fasteners on wood core doors can act as moisture conduits and are often destroyed by corrosion from the inside, the trailer maker notes. Component manufacturers SAF-Holland offers a coating, Black Armour, which is designed to react with any metal that oxidizes, and, in effect, destroy corrosion. The company notes that it causes steel to grow a new protective skin that is 10 times more impervious to water than a swimming-pool coating. It has a corrosion package that never allows it to shrink, and it also compresses, which means that if it is struck hard, it does not shatter but remains intact. Compatible with a growing list of Holland landing-gear products, in addition, Black Armour base coating meets a prescribed performance factor, the company says. The same coating also is being used on some of the manufacturer’s suspension components and will be called by the Black Armour name once it meets standards in those applications. The coating also can be top-coated with any paint and does not require pre-sanding, meaning existing trailer components can be refurbished in a cost-effective manner. CORSOL, which is supplied by PRP Industries, is the technology behind Holland’s Black Armour and it is also in use by some trailer OEMs and fleets. Lighting and electrical systems Proper maintenance helps reduce the impact of corrosion on trailer components including lighting and electrical systems. According to Truck-Lite Co., it uses the most corrosion-resistant metal available in the plugs, but if water or “conductive” dirt gets in the plug, it can provide a shortcut for the voltage, which corrodes away the metal in the plug. The answer is to use new plugs and plenty of grease. If possible, move the lights to a more protected area and/or add a module box for protection. In addition, the company advises that fleets treat the electrical system with a non-conductive anti-corrosion compound. The purpose of the sealant is to totally encapsulate and protect against corrosion and water. Grote Industries agrees and points out that corrosion is one the “eight major causes of safety lighting failures.” It recommends specifying lighting products that are sealed, because corrosion around the bulb sockets cannot approach the bulb when it is sealed within a lamp housing. To further protect against corrosion, all electrical wiring connections should be sealed against moisture with a non-conductive, non-sodium based grease in areas like electrical contacts, circuit switches and junction boxes, the company says. Remember to wash Great Dane suggests two simple preventive maintenance steps to help avoid major repairs of a trailer in the long run. Frequent washing with a properly mixed ratio of fresh water and soap, especially in the undercarriage area, helps remove corrosive chemicals used for deicing. Cleaning procedures should include a low to mild pressure application to ensure against lifting fresh/new coatings at abraded areas as well as thorough rinsing. Repair any damaged areas of coatings as soon as possible to prevent spot corrosion that can spread. More to come The Technology and Maintenance Council is currently gathering data from fleet members to determine exactly which components are susceptible to corrosion problems and the costs caused by corrosion. It will then decide what priorities will be placed on programs aimed at solving these problems. We’ll keep you posted. FE

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Electrical system corrosion prevention tips • Use heavy-duty, adhesive-lined heat shrink tubing on all electrical connections. • Protect battery posts and terminal with anti-corrosive protector spray. • Check ground power source. Always make sure ground leads directly to the negative battery post. Grounding to the chassis or engine will lead to corrosion, poor contacts and faulty electrical operations. • Store electrical and air coils in stowage devices when not in use for extended periods of time. • Rotate electrical assembly plugs. To safeguard against uneven wear, swap plug ends from tractor to trailer side every six months. • Do not pierce wire jacketing. This causes wicking, which creates a leak path for contaminants to seep in that rots the wire from the inside out. • Wash equipment frequently during cold weather to reduce build up. Do not power wash because water can be forced into areas and cannot escape, which leads to corrosion. • Grease plugs and socket pins with dielectric grease after every cleaning. • Clean connectors every six months using a plug and socket brush with water (no soap). • Inspect cables and wires for road hazard damage and replace or repair damaged items. • Be cautious of soaps containing degreasers. When degreasers come into contact with electrical connections, it increases the corrosion reaction. Do not leave soap residue on electrical connections. Phillips Industries: www.phillipsind.com .]]> The perfect chemistry between trailers and corrosion is not having any. Corrosion eats away at billions of dollars in the transportation industry and its infrastructure each year. Undercoatings, corrosion-resistant paint products and the use of galvanized steel components can help resist the formation of rust. CorroGuard, Great Dane’s exclusive trailer undercoating, is the most comprehensive corrosion-fighting solution in the industry. These options, along with recommended washing techniques, can help ensure your image is protected from corrosion.

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