What Does
Cladding Mean?
This is a form of finishing such as coating or insulation applied to the facade of walls and roofing systems by fusing corrosion-resistant metal alloys with the base metal (ferrous metal or alloy). It is a process that is aimed at improving the aesthetic value and the durability of the underlying substrate that is vulnerable to corrosion.
Corrosionpedia Explains Cladding
The cladding material is treated to a form that can be applied or spread evenly on the surface of a material to be protected and enhanced. Most of the cladding process is applied by dipping the substrate into the cladding solvent at high temperatures and pressures through electrical and mechanical techniques such as welding.
The type of bonding achieved will determine the efficiency of the cladding. The best way to achieve quality bonding is by using temperatures just below the melting point of the substrate. Material used for making the cladding alloys come from the following metals:
- Aluminum and its alloys
- Steel and its alloys
- Zinc and its alloys
- Lead and its alloys
- Copper and its alloys
The cladding material acts as a barrier between the substrate and the corrosive environment when it comes to durability and appearance protection. Therefore, cladding provides sacrificial protection against galvanic corrosion that occurs on unprotected points on a metal surface. The appearance varies in color and finishing, which is easily achieved by coating the cladding materials.