Modern playgrounds are increasingly being seen in public spaces. Looking at them, one can come to the conclusion that the imagination of designers knows no bounds. And it's not just about the multitude of devices, their functionality and the play opportunities they offer. It's also about the materials used to make them. In addition to playgrounds made of natural wood, which are gaining popularity, designs involving recycled materials that keep up with ecological trends, and implementations using plastics or laminates, metal equipment continues to be popular. As we at RECCREO specialize in the production of playground equipment precisely from the three basic types of metal, this is what we will focus on in the following text.
Steel - the most popular material for a public playground
Black steel (also known as raw steel) is one of the most common metals used to manufacture playground equipment and components. It is characterized by a number of physical properties that are suitable for building and construction applications. It has very good tensile strength, which makes it suitable for load-bearing structures. It performs excellently under changing temperatures. For a specialized production facility, it is easy about processing. The number of profiles, pipes, flat bars, etc. with different cross sections, diameters and dimensions available on the raw materials market makes it no problem to design and create equipment in compliance with EN 1176, even in the combination of several of them. Moreover, the advantage of black steel is its relatively low price, compared to stainless steel or aluminum, which we will come to in a moment.
We can easily combine steel with other raw materials. For example, the combination of steel and hardwood robinia acacia is one of the popular trends in public playground construction.
How to protect metal for playground construction? Types of corrosion protection.
It is important to remember that even high-quality materials such as approved black steel require corrosion protection. At RECCREO, we use several types of anti-corrosion coatings, depending on the type and purpose of the equipment or the customers' wishes.
Hot-dip galvanizing
It involves immersing the steel components you want to protect from corrosion in high-temperature liquid zinc, which reaches every nook and cranny of the structure or component. It is a relatively inexpensive method, and a properly made coating lasts from 10 to 30 years. Protected by this method are, for example. rotating posts for carousels and anchors for playgrounds.
Galvanizing
It involves immersing a steel workpiece in a special electrolyte bath containing zinc compounds. Under the influence of electricity, zinc particles settle on the item. The lifespan of this type of coating is lower than that made by the fire method, as it ranges from 2 to 10 years, depending on conditions. However, for some products it is the only possible way to galvanize, for technological reasons. Galvanizing creates a much thinner layer, ideal for smaller or more precise parts.
Powder coating
It involves applying electrified powder paint particles to the metal surface. Then, the paint-coated parts are heated to 200°C. As a result, the powder is melted and polymerized. The resulting coating is smooth, without cracks or streaks. An excellent primer for powder coating is (depending on the type of structure) properly treated hot-dip galvanized, galvanized, or simply a previously made layer of zinc powder primer. In either case, we get double corrosion protection.
For some products or components, where we are dealing with closed profiles, for example, powder coating with zinc primer is the only available option for corrosion protection.
At RECCREO, both for products from standard lines and those made on the basis of customer documentation, we offer the availability of all colors from the standard RAL palette. Powder-coated products include. carousels and swings.
Geomet
It is also worth mentioning this type of anti-corrosion coating. All available in RECCREO's offer are protected with it slings for swings. It is a water-based coating containing zinc micro-flakes, characterized by much higher corrosion resistance than standard zinc coatings. Visually, it is characterized by a gray matte surface.
Stainless steel
Another type of steel, willingly and increasingly used in playgrounds, is stainless steel. It is characterized by special physical and chemical properties - for example, high resistance to weathering, acids and liquids. Stainless is achieved by introducing appropriate alloying additives into the steel. According to current trends, stainless steel products (such as. slides or sand and water play equipment) are integral elements of natural wood playgrounds. This creates an interesting combination, which on the one hand refers to nature and on the other to modernity. Glossy equipment and stainless steel components subjected to appropriate treatment (at RECCREO it is mechanical polishing) have a large and positive impact on the overall aesthetic impression of the entire playground. Powder coating of stainless steel components is not likely to be practiced, although it is technologically possible.
However, it should be remembered that stainless steel is a higher-end material. Moreover, it requires slightly more advanced processing methods. Both these factors mean that playground equipment made of this type of steel is not among the cheapest. However, the high quality of the materials ensures the longevity of a public stainless steel playground, and thus compensates for the higher price.
Aluminum
The last of the metals to be mentioned is aluminum. It is a relatively soft and lightweight metal, compared to the strength it offers. It is three times lighter than steel. Aluminum is characterized by high resistance to weather conditions: to moisture, rain and temperature changes. It is readily used for the construction of playgrounds, both entire structures and individual components such as floors in carousels. However, aluminum, due to its unique properties such as low melting point and high thermal conductivity, requires special welding techniques. Aluminum playground components are also powder-coated for durability and resistance to damage, as well as for a uniform and aesthetically pleasing surface.
Longevity of a public playground - durability of materials and other factors
High-quality, safe playground components can be made from any of the metals described above. Also, each of the corrosion protection methods described above does the job. However, it is important to keep in mind that the life-cycle length of each piece of equipment on a public playground is highly dependent on location (e.g., in terms of distance from a salty marine environment), intensity of use or regularity of inspection and maintenance work. Maintaining playground equipment and responding to any problem in the bud has a fundamental impact on the durability of materials. Unfortunately, there are also factors that cannot be predicted or avoided, namely potential acts of vandalism. Nevertheless, current standards and requirements set the bar very high for manufacturers to ensure long use and safety of children at the highest level.
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