Solar farm 25 years worry-free with Magnelis® ZM800

Cost-saving, sustainable and reduced emissions

Good news for steel processing companies installing structures in aggressive environments. After extensive test productions, Magnelis® ZM800 is being delivered in series production for the first time. This new Zinc Magnesium steel grade is very cost effective. It is a considerably cheaper alternative to traditional aluminum and offers the customer up to 25 years warranty against corrosion. To top it off, ZM800 is produced with significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions.

The new steel grade may be processed and supplied by KS Service Center as the first supplier in the world. Corné Rottier, General Manager, is proud: "This is a steel grade that relieves our customers on several fronts. By guaranteeing up to 25 years against corrosion, they can offer financiers more security on their projects. As a result, banks are more willing to lend to investors. In addition, the longevity of this steel ensures that the maintenance costs of structures with this steel are substantially lower. Moreover, a ZM800 product is less environmentally damaging than an application that is galvanized to pieces afterwards, and I personally consider that very important as well." The ZM800 steel is processed by KS Service Center into strip steel that chain partners can use to produce profiles, among other things.

Features and applications

Magnelis® ZM800 has a zinc aluminum magnesium coating of no less than 800 grams per m2 for the total of both sides. This means a thickness of 65 µm per side. A zinc aluminum magnesium coating of 800 grams is unique in the world of zinc magnesium coatings, according to the steel producer. The thickest known zinc coating to date is 620 grams per m2. ZM800 is at least as corrosion-resistant as piece galvanized (post-galvanized) and a good alternative to aluminum.

These properties make ZM800 very attractive for applications in aggressive environments, both in cost savings and processing. Traditionally, ramp poles or applications on water are piece galvanized afterwards. This is laborious and nowadays very costly due to energy prices. Steel with a zinc coating can be applied directly. This makes ZM800 the ideal steel grade for the production of fencing, solar panel mounting systems and structures at sea.

Magnelis® ZM800 is a product of ArcelorMittal and will be supplied by KS Service Center as of December 2022.