Poly 316 S/S is a premium stainless steel mesh that is highly resistant to corrosion however all insect mesh will tend to trap air borne dirt and impurities and when combined with salt and moisture, staining of the mesh may occur. This can present as reddish marks on the mesh surface known as "tea staining" or "fluffy" white marks due to salt build up. The brown discolouration, or tea staining, has been identified in coastal applications in Australia and overseas. Tea staining does not affect the structural integrity or the longevity of the stainless steel and it can be controlled.
Warranty, Care and Maintenance for Poly 316 Stainless Steel Mesh
General
Where does tea staining occur?
Tea staining occurs most commonly within about 5 kilometers of the surf or a few hundred metres from sheltered coastal water. It becomes progressively worse closer to the marine source. Wind exposure, pollution and higher temperatures can create environments where tea staining can occur 20 kilometers from the sea (refer AS 2312 Guide to the protection of Structural Steel Against Atmospheric Corrosion)
Material Selection
Stainless steel 316 should be used as a minimum to reduce the chance of tea staining.
Perform regular maintenance
Washing removes contaminants (such as salt) that can cause surface corrosion and is necessary to avoid tea staining and maintain the mesh in good condition. Please refer to the following schedule:
| Environment | Description | Cleaning Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Mild | More than 10km from coast | Every 6 months |
| Moderate | 1km to 10km from coast | Every 4 months |
| Marine | 500m to 1km from coast | Once per month minimum |
| Marine | Less than 500m from coast | 2-4 times per month |
Care and Maintenance
- Wash both surfaces of the stainless steel insect screen mesh in warm soapy water to remove any build up of dirt, salt etc. Rinse in fresh water and dry. This is to be done in accordance with the above table.
- Avoid physical damage to the black powder coating on the wire surface.
- Avoid contact with dissimilar metals as this can cause galvanic corrosion. Insect screen frames made from aluminium should be powdercoated to a uniform 0.05mm minimum.
- Avoid installation in locations where the insect screen mesh is continuously exposed to damp conditions.
Warranty
PMI warrants its mesh to be free from defects in materials and workmanship and will provide replacement stock within 12 months of purchase for any mesh found to be defective due to poor materials or manufacturing faults. This warranty excludes claims relating to tea staining, contact with dissimilar metals or any other corrosion related claims.
Reference
Australian Stainless Steel Development Association www.assda.asn.au, AS 2312 Guide to the Protection of Structural Steel Against Atmospheric Corrosion.
Issued to Langford Windows by Lincoln Sentry November 06
