Rockford Airport Maintenance Mega Hangars Designed to Last

Rockford Airport Maintenance Mega Hangars Designed to Last

Galvanizing

This fast-paced suburb is home to a rich population of aerospace professionals and was recently selected as the location for two new AAR Corp aircraft maintenance hangars. These matching structures will provide not only a lift to the airport’s functionality but to its overall aesthetic as well. The easiest way to describe these two hangars, completed in December of 2016, is to say they are enormous!

Each of these hangers was designed to serve the largest commercial and military cargo planes in existence. As such, the $40 million project consisted of two 10-story side-by-side structures with large clear spans of over 300’ by 300’. The skeleton of these remarkable structures was comprised of hot-dip galvanized steel. AZZ Galvanizing – Hamilton and AZZ Galvanizing – Joliet were recently recognized by the American Galvanizers Association for Excellence in Hot Dip Galvanizing: Building & Architecture for their work on this exciting project.

While airport structures were traditionally limited to pre-engineered steel buildings, lead project design and construction firm Rubb Building Systems wanted something that would prove durable, cost-effective, and most importantly, extremely flexible. The team knew the hangars would change the landscape of the airport, and wanted to offer Rockport International Airport a unique solution that came with every bell and whistle. The end result is impressive: buildings with ventilation windows, conventional doors, massive clear spans with no center columns, continuous translucent roofing, and a hot-dip galvanized steel truss structure. This metal and translucent skeleton provides longevity, corrosion protection, and more than enough room for the jumbo jets it houses. For this project, the consistent zinc finish of the hot-dip galvanized steel on both interior and exterior steel surfaces was both rugged and reliable.

AZZ Galvanizing – Hamilton and AZZ Galvanizing – Joliet is proud to have helped in the construction of these hangars, and look forward to seeing them used to maintain the country’s largest aircraft, including the Airbus A380 jet.

To learn more about AZZ and its processes, visit AZZ.com today!

Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel Ensures Little Leaguers Will Enjoy New Fields For Years To Come

Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel Ensures Little Leaguers Will Enjoy New Fields For Years To Come

Galvanizing

For months on end, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and an assorted mix of friends and family, drive to baseball games in cars loaded down with collapsible lawn chairs, portable coolers, and sports bags. In many areas, you would be hard pressed to find a room full of people where not a single one had at least a few memories of picking at the grass in leftfield, or going to a game to cheer on a young player.     

When the Clifton Forge Little League in Allegheny County, Virginia needed two baseball fields to mentor children and host tournaments, the organization was fortunate to connect with the innovative and talented design/buildLAB at Virginia Tech’s School of Architecture. Students who participate in this project-based experiential learning program conduct research and help implement cutting-edge construction methods and architectural designs. The design/buildLAB collaborates with industry experts to create charitable projects that will enrich local communities. 

As a result of the dedicated efforts and vision of the design/buildLAb team, Sharon Fields transformed from a dream into a reality for the children of Allegheny County. The two fields and press box feature two 45’ by 25’ backstops fabricated out of a light gauge steel tubing, which was progressively dipped and reassembled in the field. This material allowed for easy handling and assembling for the team. AZZ Galvanizing – Bristol was pleased to help with the construction and was recently recognized for its work on the project by the American Galvanizers Association for Excellence in Hot Dip Galvanizing: Civic Contribution.

A key factor in the design of Sharon Fields, which recently won the 2016 AIA Blue Ridge Design & Construction award, is the durable, maintenance-free materials chosen by the Virginia Tech team. The architectural students knew the Clifton Forge Little League Team operates as a non-profit with a tight budget and needed the new facility to offer longevity and low maintenance costs. The hot-dip galvanized steel they chose for the project will ensure that several generations of Little Leaguers will be able to enjoy the new fields. This zinc-coated material is long lasting – offering corrosion protection in a variety of climates as well as a natural, clean, rust-free look. For this project in particular, the material was a wise choice because the student architects knew the backstops would be exposed to rain, sunlight and cold temperatures yet still have to protect spectators season after season.

AZZ Galvanizing – Bristol is proud to have helped in the construction of this useful community facility, and looks forward to seeing Allegheny Country families enjoy it for years to come.

To learn more about AZZ and its processes, visit AZZ.com today!

The History of Galvanization Takes a Step Forward at AZZ

The History of Galvanization Takes a Step Forward at AZZ

Galvanizing

In 1836, a French scientist by the name of Sorel took out numerous patents on a process originally developed in 1742 by another French scientist named Melouin. This process was one in which cleaned steel was dipped into molten zinc. Because Sorel understood the electrochemical nature of corrosion and why zinc protected the steel, he named the process “galvanization,” after the Italian scientist Luigi Galvani, who had done early experiments in electricity. 

Sorel’s understanding also built on the work of Sir Humphrey Davey, who, in 1824, showed that when two different metals were electrically connected and immersed in water, one metal was protected while the other corroded more quickly. Thus was born galvanization, a process whereby zinc is sacrificed to protect steel in steel products. 

AZZ recently installed a new kettle for galvanizing steel at their facility. Jamie Atkins, Plant Manager at AZZ Galvanizing Services in Minneapolis, MN, spoke recently about the new kettle, the history of galvanization, and the implications of this new equipment for the customers.  

Atkins points out that, although galvanization is hardly a new technology, as a procedure dated back a couple hundred years, the installation of this new kettle is a huge step in efficiencies and capacity for this plant. Its comparatively simple elemental process creates a highly reliable and corrosive-resistant material. 

He further explains that the zinc has to be above 820 degrees F to be effectively galvanized, but it doesn’t need to be above 845 degrees because you don’t gain anything by being hotter. Atkins also points out that “You have to get your steel completely clean: no scale, no rust, no paint, nothing on the surface that’s a barrier to the bare steel” for galvanization to be most successful. 

When you dip the clean steel into the hot zinc, the metallurgical reaction bonding the zinc and steel creates four layers of the coating. At the bottom layer reside a mix of zinc and iron. As layers extend outward from the steel, there is increasingly more zinc with decreasing iron, so that the outer layer is a completely zinc surface. 

“In the 50s, when they started galvanizing here at AZZ, the process was not really that much different. The process still had acid that cleaned the steel. You still had a hot bath of zinc you dipped it in. Then you pulled it out, you cleaned it, and you shipped it back to your customer,” according to Atkins. Now, however, the technology has changed, creating a better product through a much more efficient process. “

AZZ, Inc. is a global provider of galvanizing, welding solutions, specialty electrical equipment, and highly engineered services. We support the power generation, transmission, distribution, and industrial markets through protection of metal and electrical systems used to build and enhance the world’s infrastructure. The new kettle is a another step forward in efficiencies and capacity for this plant. 

To learn more about what AZZ Inc. can do for your business, visit us online at AZZ.comtoday!

McKinney Aquatics Center Designed to Last for Generations Thanks to Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel Backbone

McKinney Aquatics Center Designed to Last for Generations Thanks to Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel Backbone

Galvanizing

McKinney, Texas was chosen by Money Magazine in 2014 as the best place to live in the country. When you visit, it’s not difficult to see why. This town of 161,905 people is prosperous, forward-thinking, and boasts many great events and places for families to enjoy. One of these excellent facilities is the recently constructed McKinney Aquatics Center, a sustainably built recreation center for kids and families looking to escape the Texas heat while still being active together. AZZ Galvanizing – Crowley was proud to help with the construction of such a wonderful facility, and was recently recognized for its work on the project by the American Galvanizers Association for Excellence in Hot Dip Galvanizing.

This new center was constructed after several years of dreaming, planning, and coordinating. Featuring a gymnasium, sports court, elevated track, child care area, classrooms, locker rooms and a 10,000-square foot pool—the $30 million, 80,000-square-foot facility is an incredible asset to the community. Project leaders expect it to be fully self-sustaining in three years.

One particularly exciting aspect of the project is the sustainable manner in which it was built. The core of the center is formed by hot-dip galvanized steel to ensure several generations of McKinney citizens will be able to enjoy it. This zinc-coated material is long-lasting, offering corrosion protection as well as consistent, rust-free beauty. Vastly superior to paint that would deteriorate consistently over time and need to be frequently reapplied, hot-dip galvanized steel is maintenance-free. 

AZZ Galvanizing – Crowley is very pleased to have played such a central role in the construction of this beautiful facility and looks forward to seeing McKinney families enjoy it for years to come.

To learn more about AZZ and its products, visit AZZ.com today!