Perforated Metal Paneling for Home Decorating

admin — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:53:26 +0000

Perforated metal offers a unique look that catches the eye and makes empty spaces seem less drab. In places where there might have been only a featureless expanse of unbroken metal, perforation provides visual punctuation. When coupled with other visual elements such as stripes or blocks, perforation can lend a sense of composition to areas that would otherwise be completely utilitarian.
A visual field broken up by many small features is more optically interesting than a featureless field. Painting the metal a bright color can enhance this, giving the viewer a slight feeling of excitement. Design elements that create this feeling encourage people to talk, interact and feel ready to do something. If there is food nearby, a visually stimulating space helps people feel hungry. Visual elements simply feel more “up,” and those who see them tend to also feel that way.
Perforated metal can be painted in bright, contrasting colors to impart a sense of animation to the space. Small, close perforations make the walls seem closer and can make a big space seem more snug, especially when the look is enhanced by interesting objects in the foreground. When pictures or other elements are hung on a perforated surface, make sure they are rather large or they will get “lost” in the busy background. If the pictures are large enough and less busy than the perforated background, the viewer’s attention will be drawn and focused on them.
For areas where there will be much socializing and animated activity, break up perforated metal panels with stripes, wide bars or low-hanging drapes. This increases the sense of activity and has an effect on the viewer even if they are not consciously aware of it.
From a builder’s viewpoint, perforated metal offers the advantage of lightness. Many metal sections used in building have more structural strength then they really need. Placing perforations in metal pieces leaves plenty of strength for most architectural applications while decreasing the weight of the piece. This makes installation easier and eliminates the need for additional support in some places.
In both design and structure, perforated metal has much to offer, and is being used more in patio design and for areas such as roofing.

Galvanization of Metal

admin — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:53:30 +0000

Galvanization is a method that is used to prevent rusting by adding a coat of zinc to either iron or steel as a protective layer. The term galvanizing is defined as applying a zinc coating to metal by using a galvanic cell. There are a few ways that the galvanization of metal can be done though the main and most cost effective way is fully submerging the steel or iron in a bath of melted down zinc called the hot-dip galvanization method. Galvanization of metal was discovered by Luigi Galvani in the 1800’s. Although the predecessor to the hot-dip method, Galvanic paint, was invented by Stanislas Sorel in 1837. The earliest example of galvanizing iron was a piece of indian armor from the 1700‘s.

Using zinc to coat metal is used to prevent corrosion by placing a protective sacrificial layer on top of steel or iron. It is sacrificial in the sense that eventually the zinc will corrode away into a zinc carbonate layer which adheres extremely well to the zinc remnants below creating a permanent coating. Don’t be fooled into thinking galvanization is the end all prevention of rusting because rusting is inevitable. If you live near a salty marine area the rusting process will come through much faster than in a dry area solely because of the salts in the air as well as the wet atmosphere. When it comes to Galvanized car frames, in cold climates they corrode much faster than in dry climates.

Galvanization of metal is not always as practical as you may think. When it comes to little bolts and screws on much bigger pieces of metal machinery it doesn’t make very much sense to use the hot-dip method of galvanization from a cost efficient prospective. Rather than using the hot-dip method companies have turned to using stainless steal nuts and bolts on things like cars and bicycles.

Jeff is a geology major focusing in precious metals living in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Mechanical Metals

Perforated Metal Paneling for Home Decorating

Galvanization of Metal