Questions
When selecting materials, the first step is to refer to any technical specifications that may apply. If no specific conditions exist, you should choose materials based on the climate conditions of your location, the structure and height of your building, and the thickness of the stone you intend to use. For instance, in areas with high humidity, corrosion is likely to occur more rapidly, so opting for stainless steel (chrome) is advisable. Similarly, for high-rise buildings subject to strong wind loads, thicker materials should be selected.
For natural stones such as marble, granite, and travertine, the main carrier profiles, brackets, and anchors should have a minimum coating of 70 μm Hot Dip Galvanization.
We recommend using at least A2 quality stainless steel for the body, adjustment screw, and pins. All clip systems should utilize clips made from AISI 304 (A2) quality stainless steel.
Aluminum profiles used in bonding systems must undergo a surface coating process appropriate for their specific applications. Suitable coatings include Chromate Coating, Anodizing Coating, and Paint Coating. Additionally, materials that are not mechanically bonded can be utilized as pressing raw materials depending on the location.
Adhesives should be high-quality, single-component polyurethane mastic, with a bioaccumulation potential of at least 50 Shore A.
The shelf life of adhesives is at least 12 months when stored in unopened packaging in a cool, dry area at temperatures between +5 °C and +25 °C. The ideal application temperature is between +5 °C and +35 °C.
Before using any product, it is crucial to check its production date to ensure quality
This document compares the stainless steels used in our production, specifically focusing on the commonly used types 304 and 430, as well as 304 and 316.
1. Differences Between 304 and 430
304 and 430 are among the most widely utilized stainless steel alloys, each offering practical applications. Here are their main differences and similarities:
Chemical Composition:
- Alloy 304: Contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel. This combination provides excellent protection against rust and corrosion, making 18/8 stainless steel a popular choice for flatware.
- Alloy 430: Composed of 18% chromium and no nickel. Known as 18/0 stainless steel, it offers a visually appealing finish and decent durability, but has lower resistance to rust and corrosion. While it holds up well in heavy commercial use, it doesn’t have the glossy appearance of 304.
Magnetism:
- Grade 430 is magnetic, while 304 is not. The key difference is that 430 is a ferritic alloy, making it magnetic by default.
Workability:
- With more nickel and chromium in 304, this alloy is harder and more durable, which makes it more expensive to machine and polish. Consequently, 430 is harder to shape, while 304 is easier to form and weld.
Cost:
- Type 304 is the most common and expensive type of stainless steel, whereas Type 430 is the least expensive and popular for economical uses.
Applications:
- Type 430: Ideal for automotive upholstery and the interiors of appliances like clothes dryers and dishwashers.
- Type 304: Frequently used in kitchen hoods, countertops, food processing equipment, and other items exposed to corrosive environments.
Overall, 304 is generally the better choice for most applications, whereas 430 serves as a cost-effective alternative that requires moderate resistance to the manufacturing process.
2. Differences Between 304 and 316
To understand the differences between 304 and 316 stainless steels, it's essential to examine their properties and structures, as they share some similarities but have distinct differences in durability, magnetism, and applications.
304 Grade Stainless Steel Properties:
- 304 contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel, resulting in a matte appearance and a high-quality texture. Its water-resistance makes it the most widely demanded stainless steel globally. While 304 is advantageous in formability, it has lower workability compared to carbon steels.
316 Quality Stainless Steel Features:
- 316 contains 16% chromium, 10% nickel, and 2% molybdenum. This classifies it as a high-quality stainless steel with exceptional durability and corrosion resistance, particularly against factors like acids and seawater. Additionally, 316 does not exhibit magnetic properties and is easy to shape.
What are the Differences Between 304 and 316?
- 316 has a higher nickel content than 304 and includes 2% molybdenum, enhancing its overall durability. Although 316 has mechanical properties similar to 304, it offers greater resistance to pitting corrosion, especially in chloride environments. Thus, for applications requiring higher resistance and protection, 316 is the preferred option.
This revision aims for clarity and correctness while maintaining the essential comparisons and information about the stainless steels discussed.
Hot Dip Galvanizing (HDG)** is widely recognized as an effective method for protecting steel. This process involves submerging iron or steel in pools of molten zinc at an average temperature of 460°C. Once removed from the zinc bath, the metal is coated with a protective layer measured in microns.
This protective layer significantly reduces the risk of rust, even in various atmospheric conditions. A design treated with hot dip galvanizing can maintain its corrosion resistance for years without the need for maintenance or repair. Coating quality is regulated according to ASTM A123 and EN ISO 1461 standards. Tests are conducted using micrometers or non-destructive testing instruments to ensure compliance with these standards.
The popularity of hot dip galvanizing stems from its three-layer protective feature. The coating acts as a barrier that entirely covers the steel surface, safeguarding it from corrosion through a metallurgical bond. In cases of damage or small flaws in the coating, zinc provides cathodic protection by sacrificing itself to protect the exposed steel. Additionally, if the coating delaminates, a new protective layer naturally forms on the surface.
Electro Galvanizing** involves applying a bright-looking chemical coating to galvanized materials. This process partially hardens the zinc from the anode by bonding it with chemical alloys to the material on the cathode. The coating thickness ranges from 8 to 12 microns and can be adjusted as needed. This is achieved by increasing the electric charge on the coated steel surface or by slowing down the coating process. While electro galvanizing results in a thinner coating, it still offers robust protection.
Common applications for electro galvanizing include bolts and similar fasteners, which are typically coated in either yellow or white colours.
"Mechanical assembly" is a method of attaching stone cladding materials to a building surface using stainless steel elements known as hooks or anchors. In this system, the weight of each stone is individually transferred to the building surface. One of the advantages of this method is that any stone can be removed after assembly without causing damage to the surrounding stones; it can either be left in place or replaced with a different material.
It is important never to mount stones on the exterior of multi-storey buildings using gluing techniques. Factors such as thermal expansion and contraction, settlement, and potential earthquakes significantly increase the risk of a glued stone falling.
In the mechanical assembly system, different anchoring methods are chosen based on various factors, including the character of the surface, the size and thickness of the stones, and the height of the building. This system is specially designed and tailored for each individual building. It is recommended that the entire assembly system be made of stainless steel. The stainless steel components used must meet AISI 316 or 304 quality standards.
Firstly, our mechanical fixing system products are not sold by square meter (m²). Quoting prices per m² can lead to confusion, as costs depend on specific project details. Factors that influence the cost of mechanical materials include:
- Dimensions (thickness, length, etc.)
- Material quality and type (e.g., galvanized, D. galvanized, stainless steel varieties)
- Opening distance from the facade, floor height, etc.
- Dimensions and weights of the stone or panel to be used
Due to these varying factors, the cost per m² can fluctuate.
This system is applied when the surface to be coated is not load-bearing (aerated concrete, briquette, brick, etc.); when the space between the surface to be coated and the stone is too wide for various reasons (such as insulation, plumb line misalignment or aesthetic reasons) and when the stones to be coated are large. Profiles are fixed to the reinforced concrete floor beam faces, two behind each stone. Coating materials are mounted to these profiles with Z Anchors, as in the H body Z system. In this system, the distance between the surface to be coated and the back of the stone must be at least 7 cm and at most 22 cm.
The Point Anchor System is divided into two main types: the H Body Z Anchor System and the Leaf Anchor System.
1. H Body Z Anchor System**: This system is used in areas where the underlying surface has load-bearing properties, such as solid concrete, reinforced concrete façades, or column beams. In these cases, Z Anchors are mounted directly onto the surface using steel dowels. Each stone is then attached to the Z Anchors with four stainless steel pins. The gap between the surface and the back of the stone can range from 3 cm to 9 cm.
2. Leaf Anchor System**: This system is applied when the surface lacks load-bearing properties, such as with aerated concrete, briquettes, or bricks, especially when the stone dimensions are smaller. Here, stainless steel plates, known as Leaf Anchor elements, are anchored in place with mortar. Holes of 24 mm in diameter and approximately 70 mm in depth are drilled into the wall for this purpose. Each stone is then mounted to these anchors with four stainless steel pins. In this system, the distance between the surface and the back of the stone can range from 1.5 cm to 6 cm.
For standard production material requests, products are prepared for shipment from our stock within 1 to 2 days after your order is approved. If you place an order for project-specific products or items that are out of stock and need to be manufactured, your materials will be ready for shipment within a maximum of 10 business days.
If you have a large number of orders that require truck shipments, the shipment dates provided by our sales consultants will be the ones to follow.
Our company has fully automated production lines and sells directly from stock, with the capacity to load and produce at least three trucks per week.
Firstly, the thickness of the insulation material directly impacts the size of the L flag that needs to be selected. Additionally, it influences the distance between the natural stone or ceramic facade cladding and the building surface.
The dimensions of the stone you choose for your project will directly impact the quantity and thickness of the mechanical materials required. As the size of the stones decreases, the number of mechanical materials needed will increase. Conversely, when the stone size increases, it is advisable to select thicker products instead of the standard main carriers, which typically have a thickness of 2.5 to 3 mm. Therefore, it is essential to determine the optimal stone dimensions based on the specific dimensions of your project.
Selecting materials based on the technical specifications set for your project or the conditions in your region ensures that the products will be more durable and reliable.
The height between each floor in your project is crucial for selecting the appropriate length of the profile for mechanical stone installation. Since the profiles will connect from deck concrete to deck concrete using L consoles, you should choose the profile length based on the height of your floors.