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Greenkote treated bolts to be used to repair Leadenhall Building London’s Leadenhall Building, or as it is more popularly known, the “Cheesegrater” hit the headlines again earlier this year when, not long after completion, reports of three of the giant studs securing the exoskeleton suddenly snapped and fell, in one case from the 15th floor, before landing on the ground. Some of the studs used in the construction of the 738 ft. tower are reported as being approximately 72mm diameter. The distinctive wedge-shaped 52 floor tower is 738ft tall and is close to both the Lloyds Building and the Gherkin. It opened in July 2014 and was designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners An analysis of the problem revealed the cause as hydrogen embrittlement, which usually occurs when hydrogen atoms diffuse into the steel and weaken the overall molecular structure, making it brittle and likely to snap suddenly. Often blamed as a side effect of galvanising, a process using acids, in this case the studs had not been treated, so the fault was probably down to a manufacturing error. UK specialists Tension Control Bolts, whose products are being used in the assembly of the new safe containment shelter to encase the Chernobyl reactor in the Ukraine, were commissioned to identify a suitable solution and specified a Greenkote treated fasteners to replace the damaged and missing studs. 440
The work is expected to be finished by the end of 2016. The Greenkote coating process offers a number of critical advantages, depending upon the application. Using no acids, hydrogen embrittlement is avoided, whilst the process offers high corrosion resistance, excellent paint adhesion and exceptional levels of coating consistency. When coating threads, neither internal nor external surfaces need to be reworked. A small number of companies globally, including TC Bolts, are licensed to use the coating process. <PERSON>, CEO of Greenkote commented, “Greenkote’s thermal diffusion process offers exceptional corrosion protection and critically in this instance, protection against hydrogen embrittlement, as the coating does not rely upon aggressive acids at any stage. We are delighted that our system has been chosen to help repair this iconic new building so helping to ensure its success as a significant London landmark.” For avoidance of ambiguity TCB Ltd did not manufacture or supply the sub-standard steel studs; rather we Greenkoted the replacement studs. 906