Forty-Year Old Chain Given New Lease Of Life

Wedge Group Galvanizing breathes new life in to half a tonne of spike chain surrounding the village green.

By B.

E.

Wedge B.

E.

Wedge of Willenhall, West Midlands and part of Wedge Group Galvanizing, has breathed new life in to half a tonne of spike chain which surrounds the village green in Ruddington, Nottinghamshire.

Ruddington Parish Council had decided to replace the 40-year old spike chain and posts surrounding the village green to brighten-up the area.

The oak posts had to be replaced for new but, after talking to B.

E.

Wedge, the Council realised that it didn't have to invest lots of money in new chain and that the existing chain could cost-effectively be restored instead.

Malcolm Wright, General Manager, B.

E.

Wedge, comments: 'We examined the chain and although it was tarnished in some places it was in remarkably good condition.

In fact, although it had been galvanized more than forty years ago the galvanized coating had kept the chain in good condition.

We actually believe it was originally hot dip galvanized here at B.

E.

Wedge all those years ago'.

B.

E.

Wedge is perfectly placed to galvanize chain as it has the only dedicated chain galvanizing bath in the UK.

The rust on the Ruddington Green chain was removed by a standard acid pickle and the chain was then galvanized on a continuous line through the bath to ensure a quality finish.

Importantly, the consistent finish allows full freedom of movement.

The chain was then immediately water quenched to prevent any further reaction taking place and then air-cooled.

The whole process only took a matter of days and was then delivered back to Ruddington where it can now be seen in its full glory, ready for at least another forty years in service.

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