What is ZINGA?

ZINGA is a one component zinc rich coating or Film Galvanising System containing 96% zinc (dust) in its dry film. It is a metallic coating and not a paint. The purity of the zinc used, is so high that dry ZINGA does not contain any toxic elements.

ZINGA is a unique form of corrosion protection because it provides both Activeand Passive protection in a form that’s as easy to apply as a paint.

ZINGA was originally invented at the University of Ghent (UGent), Belgium, in the 1970s and has since been used in a wide variety of projects throughout the world.

ZINGA is an active zinc performance coating which works in conjunction with the metal beneath, whereas paints are only passive barriers. Regardless of how thick paints are applied, they remain as barriers. Once they are breached, corrosion sets in immediately. Despite this significant difference ZINGA is still often mistaken for a paint simply because it’s liquid and comes in a tin. But there are other more subtle differences. For example it does not “skin over” in the tin because ZINGA has an unlimited pot-lifeand it doesn’t go “tacky” like a paint.

How does it work?

When two different metals come in contact with each other in presence of an electrolyte (e.g. water), they form a galvanic cell in which the lesser noble metal (e.g. Zn) corrodes in favour of the more noble metal (e.g. steel). This electrochemical reaction is the base for the complex field that is cathodic protection.

Galvanic, cathodic protection, or active protection, arises from zinc (the anode) sacrificing itself in favour of the base metal -steel (the cathode) with the resulting flow of electrons preventing steel corrosion. In this way the protection of the metal is guaranteed, even when the zinc layer is slightly damaged.

Other well-established methods of cathodic protection include hot-dip galvanising (HDG) and zinc thermal spraying, both of which exhibit a constant sacrificial rate of the zinc layer.

With ZINGA the sacrificial rate reduces dramatically after the zinc layer has oxidised and the natural porosity has been filled with zinc salts. Additionally the zinc particles within the ZINGA  layer are protected by the organic binder without adversely affecting the electrical conductivity. This enables ZINGA  to create nearly the same galvanic potential between the zinc and the steel as hot dip galvanising but with a lower rate of zinc loss because, put simply, the binder acts as a “corrosion inhibitor” to the zinc.

Extract from B.N.F. Fulmer report of JJB Ward, Oxfordshire, Jan '92
The zinc in Zinga becomes the sacrificial anode in relation to the steel but it corrodes at a much slower rate than would otherwise be expected

If the ZINGA layer is sufficiently damaged to expose the base metal below, the steel would form a layer of surface rust but no corrosion would take place beneath it. In other words, if the surface discolouration was removed, the steel below would not be pitted or eroded. This is called “throw” or “throwing power” and enables ZINGA to protect bare metal up to 3 – 5 mm away from where the coating ends – slightly less than new HDG. Zinc sacrificial anodes used on the steel hulls of boats below the waterline work on the same principle to protect metal in the surrounding area. ZINGA is simply a different form of these anodes and is therefore sometimes referred to as a liquid anode or sheet anode when used in immersed conditions.

                  Untreated                                                                                                                                                                                             Treated except
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   2cm strip

The ability of zinc to provide galvanic protection is a function of its mass per given area. Dry ZINGA contains a minimum of 96% medicinal quality zinc by weight, the particles of which are significantly smaller and purer than those found in normal “zinc rich” coatings. The ZINGA particles’ small size and elliptical profile ensure maximum contact between both the individual particles and the substrate. This greater density of active zinc per given area combined with the good conductivity of the layer ensures that charge flows through every millimeter that has been coated and therefore provides excellent cathodic protection.

PASSIVE PROTECTION

Passive protection, as provided by paints and cladding, creates a “barrier” between the steel substrate and the elements. Once this barrier is compromised, the moisture and atmospheric salts will be able to start corroding the steel beneath the damaged area. This corrosion will then begin to creep extensively beneath the coating.

With ZINGA, the organic binder and the zinc oxide layer that forms on the surface create an impervious barrier by blocking the zinc’s natural porosity with oxide particles. Unlike other passive coatings, once breached, the zinc oxide layer simply renews itself by re-oxidising. This layer of oxides is the reason behind the matt appearance of ZINGA as opposed to the shiny hot-dipped finish.

How can it be used?

Characteristics – Advantages

Comparison

Application

Once thoroughly mixed, ZINGA® can be applied by using a normal paintbrush, a short-fibre roller (not for the first coat) or a conventional or airless spray-gun. When applying ZINGA®, it must only be thinned with Zingasolv, which is available from your nearest distributor. Please read the appropriate Data Sheet.

ZINGA® can be applied in a wide variety of weather conditions. The application surface temperature range is from -15°C to +40°C, with a maximum humidity of 95% so long as the steel temperature is 3°C above dew point. Like all coatings the substrate surface should be free from all types of contamination.

The broad range of allowable application conditions that ZINGA® affords means that very few days are lost during projects due to poor weather i.e. the maintenance window is extended. This, combined with ZINGA®‘s unlimited shelf life, ensures minimal wastage of either time or materials during a project.