THE PROFESSIONAL PV MOUNTING SYSTEM
Fact Sheet Resistance to corrosion
SUNBEAM mounting systems for solar panels are made of
a unique type of durable steel with a high resistance to corrosion: Magnelis, manufactured by Arcelor Mittal.
Self-healing
Sheet materials such as Magnelis consist of a steel core that is coated
on both sides. This coating, which comprises zinc, aluminium and
Until a few years ago most mounting systems for solar panels used
magnesium, protects the large sheet areas against corrosion. Cutting
aluminium beams. A growing number of modern systems such as
the sheet, or punching holes in it, leaves unprotected edges without
SUNBEAM, however, have started to use steel beams. There are
coating. Under the influence of the weather a thin layer of red rust
several good reasons for this:
(iron oxide) may form on the exposed edges.
In SUNBEAM installations, the sides of the ballast strips in particular
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are known to be affected by this.
Steel is stronger than aluminium and industrially processing it
The rust is no reason for concern, however, because the Magnelis
is easier. SUNBEAM components are made using a continuous
top coats are perfectly capable of protecting the core. After the layer
process called ‘roll forming’.
of iron oxide has formed, it is encapsulated by a layer of zinc oxide,
which permanently protects the edges. This effect is called ‘self-healing’. Arcelor has tested the reliability of self-healing rigorously under
adverse conditions,
and it is well-documented.
Corrosion
Performance
│ MAGNELIS®
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Aluminium is lighter than steel, but for systems that typically require weighting down with concrete tiles to be able
to withstand a high wind load this does not offer much of an
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Edge Protection (self healing mechanism)
advantage.
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Steel is environmentally friendly. It is easy to recycle and requires much less energy to produce than aluminium.
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Confidential
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What used to be the main disadvantage of steel, its lower
resistance to corrosion, is no longer a major factor due to the
For more information about Magnelis, example videos of self-healing
invention of Magnelis steel by Arcelor Mittal.
and other resources, see Arcelor’s Magnelis web site:
http://industry.arcelormittal.com/magnelis
Arcelor’s Magnelis
Arcelor Mittal, the largest steel concern in the world, markets
Magnelis, a unique type of steel that is particularly suitable for
Flat Carbon Europe
Magnelis®
Een innovatieve metallische bekleding die in de meest
veeleisende omgevingen corrosieweerstand biedt
applications requiring long-term resistance
Materials used together
to corrosion, such as lorry chassis, crash
Arcelor’s warranty is valid for the SUNBEAM design, and takes into
barriers, poultry farm houses, and a growing
account that the system contains parts that are not made of Mag-
number of solar panel installations.
nelis. Examples of such parts are aluminium or stainless steel nuts,
bolts and rivets, and zinc coated screws.
The ‘trick’ is performed by a special coating, which exists of a combination of zinc,
Although these materials are extremely resistant to corrosion, it
magnesium and aluminium. The thicker this
may occasionally happen that the chips
layer, the higher the quality of the material.
released by self-tapping screws (which
SUNBEAM uses Magnelis ZM-310, the vari-
are used for wind sheets) go rusty. This
ety with the thickest coating. Arcelor provides a 20-year warranty
in itself is harmless, but we recommend
against corrosion for this material (unless it is applied within 300
sweeping them up immediately to avoid
metres of the sea).
rust stains.
www.sunbeam-pv.com
Fact Sheet Resistance to corrosion — December 2014