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-----GI vs. CRCA for Office Metal Furniture
GI = "galvanized iron", actually hot-dip galvanized steel.
CRCA = "cold rolled close annealed", i.e., cold rolled steel.
Q. As I am planning to Wholesale Office Metal furniture like Lockers and cabinets I am weighing options between CRCA and GI.
If I prefer to go with GI I am wondering about the Powder coating on GI. Will the Powder Coating hold well. Any recommendations or extra care to be given while Powder coating on GI comparing to CRCA? Or else do I opt for CRCA. What major difference on product will I face between them.
In the long run I am looking at good feedback from customers with regard to longevity of product without rust formation and good finish.
- CHENNAI TAMILNADU
April 25, 2024
A. Hi Niranjan,
I don't think Galvanized is a good idea. Although it does increase the corrosion resistance, and the pretreatment can be the same zinc phosphatizing that you use on steel, there are downsides: it's expensive, it's overkill, it's not intended to be a decorative finish and is not necessarily smooth enough, it introduces a new process where things can go wrong.
What I would suggest for outstanding quality would be zinc phosphating, followed by electrocoating, followed by powder coating because it will look great and last almost forever.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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