Fiberglass Walkways Survive in Super Corrosive Environments – Alternative to Metal Walkways and Rails

In 1994, the engineering group of Kerr McGee Coal Company and the Westfall Company joined forces to tackle corrosion problems at a coal preparation plant located in Galatia, Illinois. Carbon steel undergoes significant deterioration within two years and stainless steel within six years when exposed to coal preparation environment. To avoid such instances, Kerr McGee planned to use more number of non-metallic structural products in the design of a new section of the facility.

Solution

SAFRAIL square tube industrial handrail and DURADEK I-6000 grating from Strongwell were chosen for all areas of the new section. During the construction of the section, the maintenance supervisor at the coal preparation facility recommended these same products for use in other areas of the facility. Kerr McGee was also happy with fiberglass products. It chose Strongwell’s SAFRAIL handrail as an alternative to existing handrail across the coal preparation facility.

After a 12 long years of service, Strongwell made a visit to the plant, whose new owner is American Coal. The results demonstrated the resilience of pultruded fiberglass. In these years, not even a single corrosion related problem was reported in the plant whereas the metal components and structures around the fiberglass platforms and railing were deteriorating.

Technical Data

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Strongwell Corporation.

For more information on this source, please visit Strongwell Corporation.