USP Structural Connectors
The Gold Standard of Corrosion Resistance
USP Structural Connectors' Gold Coat connectors provide high performance corrosion resistance for outdoor construction with pressure treated wood.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (February 6, 2007) - USP Structural Connectors, a Gibraltar company (NASDAQ: ROCK), has developed a new double barrier protection (Gold Coat - a proprietary organic polymer coating) for its connection products that is engineered to resist the corrosive properties of the chemicals used in modern, pressure treated wood. This is a critical, new development as products such as anchors, hangers and framing angles as well as their fasteners (nails and screws) are more quickly corroded by the chemical reaction with today's pressure treated wood products.
Since the removal of arsenic in pressure treated wood products, manufacturers have turned to alternate treatments with higher concentrations of copper used to prevent decay in pressure treated lumber commonly used in deck construction and other outdoor building applications. While the use of copper is more environmentally friendly than arsenic, the end result is a product that more readily corrodes steel.
The common solution used by connector manufacturers to slow corrosion was to increase the quantity of galvanization rather than adding a layer that prevents the electrochemical reaction with copper and zinc (the primary galvanizing product).
"Gold Coat is the next generation of protection for connectors," said Martin Ruch, director of marketing and customer satisfaction for USP. "Our research and development teams are constantly looking for ways to improve our products. In this case, adding a barrier that prevents the highly corrosive interaction between copper, zinc and ultimately, steel provides contractors and homeowners with a superior connection product that represents the next generation in corrosion protection.
Testing conducted by a third party laboratory and in connection with Michigan State University has shown that over a 120 day exposure to copper, the Gold Coat barrier had a rate of corrosion that was as 65 percent less than steel coated at the G90 standard and as much as 60 percent less than steel coated at the G185 standard.
USP currently produces 25 Gold Coat connection products - primarily connectors used in deck construction, but plans are to add more connection products for deck and outdoor construction in the near future.
To find out more about USP Structural Connectors, its Gold Coat products and testing as well as its entire line of structural connector products, go to: www. uspconnectors.com.
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About Gibraltar
Gibraltar Industries is a leading manufacturer, processor, and distributor of primarily metals for the building, industrial, and vehicular markets. The company serves a large number of customers in a variety of industries in all 50 states and throughout the world. It has approximately 3,600 employees and operates 77 facilities in 26 states, Canada, China, England, Germany, and Poland.
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