|
Your Guide to Salt Resistant Outdoor Lighting Fixtures
March 7, 2018
Salt resistant outdoor lighting fixtures are life changing, especially in coastal environments with high salinity levels. Moisture and salinity are incredibly harsh on lighting fixtures and other outdoor furnishings, especially those made of porous materials. Moisture creates enough issues for lighting fixtures, but add salt to the mix and corrosion sets in even faster. Without salt resistant outdoor lighting fixtures, you’ll be replacing lighting poles and other fixtures in no time.
Why is Salt So Corrosive?
Freshwater causes rust, but at a much slower rate than salt water. Even fresh water enables oxidation of iron, but salt water accelerates the process because it is such a good conductor due to a flurry of dissociated ions. Coastal areas are exposed to higher salinity levels which leads to an increased production of rust and corrosion. As a result, lighting fixtures often break down faster than you can say, “Look at my new landscape lighting!”
It’s not just coastal lighting fixtures at risk of corrosion, even inland lighting posts eventually rust and corrode. Although, rust and corrosion sink in much faster when exposed to high salinity. That’s because rust and corrosion occur when electrons start moving around. Since salt is a good conductor, the movement of electrons is greatly increased in salt water compared to fresh water.
A simple science experiment that’ll show how this works includes trying to get a current to flow through clean water (it won’t). Now add salt to the mix and the current flows through easily.
Porous lighting fixtures made from a mixture of aluminum and metal erode the fastest. When salt water encounters iron and another metal like aluminum it creates a battery effect that speeds up corrosion. The secret to salt resistant outdoor lighting fixtures boils down to non-porous fixtures.
The Problem with Porous Materials for Salt Resistant Outdoor Lighting
Many outdoor fixtures are made from porous materials which means they are NOT salt resistant outdoor lighting. Porous materials allow everything from stains to moisture and salt in the air to penetrate beyond the first layer. Think of it like a sponge that soaks water up into its deepest layers. When this salt-ridden water gets inside it can cause a whole lot of damage from the inside out.
Some materials may be susceptible to freeze-thaw cycles. While porous materials can breathe out water just like they can breathe it in, oftentimes too much moisture gets trapped inside. As a result, when temperatures dip below a certain point the moisture expands and freezes. When temperatures increase again, moisture thaws and decreases in size. This puts pressure on lighting fixtures and may result in cracks and other damages.
Furthermore, the salt itself is highly corrosive to interior features like metal and aluminum. It will start corroding the base of lighting fixtures in no time. You won’t see the damage taking hold at first but before long the fixture will start to show signs of corrosion and salt water damage.
Non-Porous Materials Offer Truly Salt Resistant Outdoor Lighting
Non-porous outdoor lighting fixtures are here to save the day. TerraCast’s resin-based commercial lighting fixtures are non-porous so salt and moisture don’t stand a chance.
Our lampposts, for example, start as an inner core of galvanized steel. This crucial layer is wrapped up tight and secured within a thick layer of polyurethane foam. This foam goes to work securing steel against corrosion and rust by keeping out corrosive elements like moisture and salt. Additionally, we add a non-porous quarter-inch thick outer layer of Linear Low Density Polyethylene resin.
Tree Ring Lighting Fixtures
You might be surprised to find out many lighting fixtures designed to live up in the trees are not truly prepared to endure the elements. Think about all the water that reaches a fixture posted up in a tree. That’s why it’s so important for tree ring lighting fixtures to be non-porous and ultra-durable.
Salt Resistant Outdoor Lighting Fixtures by TerraCast
TerraCast Products has the solution to rusted and corroded lampposts caused by high salinity and moisture. The answer is non-porous salt resistant outdoor lighting fixtures made to pass the test of time. You no longer need to replace your lighting fixtures on a regular basis due to unsightly rust, corrosion, or breaking down of materials. From Bullet Lights to LED Rock Lights and everything in between, we have top-notch products that can withstand a wide variety of temperatures and elements, including high-salinity moisture.
Company: 
TerraCast Products LLC
Product: Lighting & Lamp Posts
Source:
Tags: