Guardrail

About Guardrail

Guardrails are essential safety features designed to prevent vehicles from veering off the road, especially areas with steep drops or hazardous conditions. They are typically made from materials like steel and are strategically placed along highways, bridges, and curves to enhance road safety. By absorbing impact and redirecting vehicles, guardrails reduce the severity of and protect both drivers and pedestrians.

How Guardrail Produced

The production of hot-dip galvanized W-beam guardrails is a meticulous process aimed at ensuring the highest standards of durability and safety. Here’s a structured overview:

1. Steel Selection
Common materials: JIS SS490 or JR355.
Characteristics: High strength and flexibility, suitable for forming and durability under stress.

2. Shaping the W-Beam Profile
Roll-Forming Process: Steel sheets are fed into roll-forming machines to create the distinctive W-beam shape.
Cutting and Punching: Beams are cut to specific lengths, and mounting holes are precisely punched to match installation requirements.

3. Pre-Galvanizing Preparation
Degreasing: Removal of oils and grease to ensure clean surfaces.
Pickling: Immersion in an acid bath to eliminate rust and scale.
Fluxing: Application of a flux solution to prevent oxidation before galvanizing.

4. Hot-Dip Galvanizing
Molten Zinc Bath: Beams are submerged in molten zinc heated to approximately 450°C.
Zinc Bonding: Zinc reacts with the steel to form a corrosion-resistant layer.
Coating Thickness: Controlled by the immersion time and steel composition, ensuring compliance with standards.

5. Post-Galvanizing Process
Cooling: Beams are allowed to cool after being removed from the zinc bath.
Inspection: Quality checks ensure uniform coating thickness and adherence to industry standards like AASHTO M180.

6. Storage and Shipping
Dry Storage: Prevents moisture exposure that could affect the coating.
Preparation for Shipment: Beams are packaged and shipped for installation, ready to provide long-term corrosion resistance and structural integrity.