Fact 1: Corrosion Resistance
The Tuff-Tek™ system begins with the base tubes which can have up to three times more galvanised coating. Furthermore, the use of strip rather than hot dip galvanising ensures a consistent rather than a patchy coating mass. Finally, the external fin, formed by the electric resistance welding process, is removed providing a clean, flush finish and then metal spray coated to restore the uniform apearance of the tube. All of these facts provide the system with ultimate protection against under film corrosion.
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Fact 2: Powder Coating Adhesion
The Tubecolor® Manufacturing Facility, which is based in Kwinana, is the only vertically integrated steel coating mill in Western Australia. The mill rolls a range of products locally and also provides state of the art powder coating services.
The Tuff-Tek™ 6-stage pre-treatment process is unique to OneSteel and provides a superior basis for powder coating adhesion as opposed to methods used by third party powder coaters such as manually wiping the tube down. Hence, the reason why Tubecolor® products are more resistant to fading, peeling, chipping and cracking. |
Fact 3: Powder Coating Thickness
It is often commented that Tubecolor® products are good looking and have a lustrous finish. This is due to the fact that the Tuff-Tek™ powder application process results in a consistent coating thickness of at least 60 microns. This is in excess of the requirements of
AS 4506:2005 Metal Finishing - Thermoset Powder Coatings for service condition category 4 (tropical - exterior) and category 5 (severe - exterior).
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Fact 4: Colour Range
Top quality polyester powders are oven baked in OneSteel's modern automated facilities in the next step of the Tuff-Tek™ process. At least 20 colours are available to suit individual tastes and are designed to harmonise with the texture of brick and timber as well as the tones of the Australian landscape.
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Fact 5: Quality Assurance
A number of quality assurance tests are prescribed by the Tubecolor® Manufacturing Facility's exclusive technical specifications, which exceed the requirements of Australian Standards. These tests provide both the technical facts and the peace of mind that the Tuff-Tek™ coating system will be of a consistently high quality standard.
The Tuff-Tek™ powder application process is monitored and checked at every hour of production to ensure that it exceeds the AS 4506:2005 coating thickness requirement of 60 microns for severe and tropical conditions. A solvent resistance test is also applied to the Tuff-Tek™ surface protector to check that the paint has been properly and evenly cured in the oven. Adhesion tests are conducted to determine how well the powder coated film adheres to the tube when subjected to multiple blade cuts into the tube substrate. Finally, samples are placed into the pressure cooker, as per
BS 1746, to ensure that the powder coated film does not blister. |
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Fact 6: Handling
Imported and other Australian products are handled multiple times as they come from the steel manufacturer to the end user. Alternatively, OneSteel consolidates the supply chain, with the tube, powder coating, packaging and transportation being handled by one party, being the Tubecolor® Manufacturing Facility.
To preserve the Tuff-Tek™ coating system, spacers are placed between product layers and bundles are plastic wrapped prior to transportation. Furthermore, The Kwinana mill's loaders and truck drivers are dedicated to one type of product unlike other steel manufacturers and third party powder coaters thus they appreciate the care that is required with Tuff-Tek™ coated Tubecolor®.
Minimal handling by a local manufacturer results in less damage and waste and it is a well-known fact that buying local supports the Western Australian economy. |
Fact 7: Professional Associations
Australians like to support the local economy by choosing products such as Tuff-Tek™ coated Tubecolor®, manufactured by OneSteel, a reputable and proven Australian manufacturer. OneSteel is an ASX Listed Top 100 Company and Australia's largest precision tube manufacturer. OneSteel's Tube Operations were established in 1939 and consist of 3 manufacturing sites across Australia, including Kwinana Western Australia.
OneSteel is proud to be associated with professional organisations such as the Housing Industry Association (HIA), Master Builders Australia (MBA) and the Australasian Institute of Surface Finishing (AISF). |
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Fact 8: Warranty
The unique Tuff-Tek™ surface protector is only found on Tubecolor® products which are used in applications such patios, carports, outdoor furniture, play equipment and fencing. Only Tubecolor® products offer a surface protection warranty due to the Tuff-Tek™ 6-stage pre-treatment process. It is a proven fact that this exclusive pre-treatment process results in products that are more resistant to fading, peeling, chipping and cracking thus providing peace of mind.
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Fact 9: Product Identification
The Tubecolor® Manufacturing Facility is able to offer Tuff-Tek™, a unique surface protector system due to its state of the art use of technology. Via an exclusive non-destructive test, OneSteel is able to identify applications where Tubecolor® Tuff-Tek™ has been used. This test can be done in situ and provides peace of mind that poor imitations have not been substituted for Tuff-Tek™ coated Tubecolor®, the market leader in surface protection.
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