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Uginox Patina – Weathering

Electrolytic tin plating

Uginox Patina K44 stainless steel sheeting features electro-tinned coating (100% pure tin) on both sides. This thin metallic coating does not provide corrosion resistance; the plating in fact serves two purposes:

  • Formation of a homogenous, matt grey finish (known as patina).
  • Gives a surface which promotes easy application of soft solder in complex details.

Patina formation

Over time, weathering causes the electroplated tin to form a uniform, matt grey finish (a patina) on the exposed surface of the rust free stainless steel base material. Patina formation takes a correspondingly longer time on unweathered surfaces. During the handling process handprints and mild staining can occur that may cause temporary blotchiness to the surface, these disappear as the patination of the surface develops into an even, matt grey surface finish. Uginox Patina K44 is supplied in an unweathered condition.

Applications of Uginox Patina – Uginox Patina K44

Uginox Patina K44 has proved itself to be an exemplary standard in aggressive environments. Accordingly, Uginox Patina K44 is more suitable for applications in aggressive industrial atmospheres and also in near coastal regions. Uginox Patina K44 is highly resistant to exposure to humic acids and is ideally suited to all kinds of rooftop vegetation. When attacked by particularly aggressive materials, in rare cases discoloration and streaking may form on the surface; however, these do not lead to corrosion of the stainless steel material. Should it be necessary to avoid such aesthetic issues, the use of Uginox Top is recommended as discoloration and streaking from the byproducts of chemical reactions do not typically form on its rolled matt surface. As with all materials individual material combinations may increase overall corrosion damage.

For more information please read the Uginox Technical Bulletin.

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Stainless Steel World 2019 Conference & Expo

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This year’s event is set to break all previous attendance records and will offer networking opportunities that you simply cannot miss!

Walk around the exhibition hall and take in the products and personalities of more than 280 world-class companies showcasing their expertise to more than 6500 middle-to-higher management visitors.

At every exhibition stand experienced technical and sales staff will be on hand to update all on the availability of their company products and services and provide hands-on solutions to practical challenges.

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K44 Stainless Steel Characteristics

K44 18% chromium with molybdenum, titanium and niobium stabilized.

General characteristics

The principal features of our K44 grade are:

  • Very good resistance to pitting corrosion in chloride media, better than 304L (18-9L) and 316L (18-11ML) grades.
  • Insensitivity to stress cracking corrosion and intergranular corrosion.
  • Low toughness at transition temperature, even in welded zones.
  • good drawability.
  • good weldability.
  • thermal conductivity higher than that of austenitic grades, with a lower thermal expansion coefficient.

Applications

  • Hot water tanks
  • Boilers
  • Fume ducts
  • Heat exchangers
  • Sugar and sanitary tubes
  • Photovoltaic frames
  • Solar tanks
  • Solar panels
  • Cooking and catering equipment
  • Water tanks

Product range: Forms: sheets, blanks, coils, discs.
Thicknesses: 0.40 to 4 mm
(for other thicknesses, please consult us).
Width: according to thickness, consult us.
Finish: cold rolled, 2R and 2B (other finishes, please consult us).

Chemical composition

For the full technical specification, please download the K44 data sheet.

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Stainless Steel A 100% Recyclable Product

Stainless steel is the “green material” par excellence and is infinitely recyclable. Within the construction sector, its actual recovery rate is close to 100%.

It is environmentally neutral, inert and when in contact with elements such as water it does not leach compounds that might modify their composition. These qualities make it a material which is ideally suited to building and construction applications: roofs, facades, rainwater recovery systems, domestic water pipes and swimming pools as well as bridges and pedestrian bridges.

Stainless steel’s longevity fulfils the requirements of sustainable construction. A suitable choice in terms of grade, surface finish, installation and maintenance guarantees the user unrivalled service life.

Construction components in stainless steel are delivered ready to install on site reducing pollution (noise, dust, etc.). Furthermore, during demolition, these can be salvaged for re-use in recycling, adding value.

Stainless Steel 100% recycled 

Today, the material flow for stainless products demonstrates that the recycling of pre- and post-consumer stainless steel scrap is already common practice.
In the production of stainless steel, a scrap blend and other raw materials – chromium, molybdenum, nickel and other elements – are melted together in an electric furnace before going into a converter for refining. The molten stainless steel is then cast into slabs or billets, before the production of plate, sheet, coil, wire or other product forms, in preparation for use by industrial manufacturers. These manufacturers produce the stainless steel items we use every day, including cutlery, pots & pans and kitchen sinks, and inumerable architectural, industrial and other components.