NedZink NOVA COMPOSITE

For NedZink NOVA COMPOSITE are, besides the general processing regulations for NedZink NATUREL, -NOVA, -NEO and -NOIR, additional processing techniques applicable. 

Guidelines

Sawing
NedZink NOVA COMPOSITE panels can easily be sawn with Jig saw and circular sawing machines. When standard tools are used, zinc causes accelerated wear to the cutting edges. Shearing

NedZink NOVA COMPOSITE is easily sheared with a guillotine. A slight drawing of the zinc cover sheet caused at the impact side should be noted. The clamp on the shear should be fitted with a shock-absorbing rubber pad to prevent damage to the cover sheet. If a sharp cut is wanted, start cutting or punching from the non-visible side. Minimum diameter of the perforation 4 mm, minimal distance between and distance from the edge: 4 mm.

Routing
NedZink NOVA COMPOSITE can be easily routed on conventional routing machines and CNC machines. To avoid pressure marks on the NedZink NOVA COMPOSITE surface, please use plastic or wood vice jaws when chucking the work pieces.

Composite panels can be shaped by means of a simple processing technique. This procedure, the routing and folding technique, enables a variety of shapes and sizes to be manufactured. V-shaped or rectangular grooves are routed on the rear of the panels with disk or end milling cutters, whereby the zinc cover sheet at the front and part of the polyethylene core are retained. The small thickness of the remaining material then allows folding by hand. A brake press is not required. The groove shape determines the radius of the bend. Never bend zinc under 7°C -> risk of cracks in the zinc surface.

Bending
NedZink NOVA COMPOSITE can be formed by conventional metal and plastic fabrication methods. Certain specific points should be noted relating to the multilayer structure combining materials of different characteristics. The surface should be protected from damaged by affixing plastic film or inserting polyethylene of 1 – 2 mm thickness or plastic film strips during processing. The spring-back effect experienced when folding sheet metal is larger with NedZink NOVA COMPOSITE. For production series a prototype should be made.

Screwing
Please take the thermal expansion of the panel into account when using threaded fasteners outdoors. To avoid jamming, the hole diameter in the panel must allow for the expansion. Fastening without jamming is possible with fascia screws made of stainless steel with sealing washer that have been approved for construction. The screws must be suitable for the corresponding substructure (please note the information given by the manufacturer). The screws should be tightened with a torque wrench or screwdriver so that the sealing washer is placed on the panel for sealing the bore hole without exerting pressure onto the panel. Multi-step drills or hole gauges having corresponding diameters are used for centrically drilling holes into the panel and the substructure and for centrically fitting the rivet. NedZink NOVA COMPOSITE panels can be fastened together or joined to other materials with rivets common to aluminum constructions. For outdoor use and for use in areas of high humidity, aluminum blind rivets with stainless steel mandrills should be used to prevent ugly corrosive edges. Please take the thermal expansion of the panel into account (2.2 mm/m/100°C). To avoid jamming, the hole in the panel must be large enough to allow for expansion. Mount the blind rivet in a sufficiently sized hole so the proper contraction and expansion of the panel is assured. Adjust the pressure of the blind rivet to the use, possibly using an attachment to distribute the pressure over the panel surface to prevent denting. Adjust the length of the blind rivet to the total thickness of the package (panel and material behind it). Test to ensure that the connection meets the requirements. In order to drill centred attachment holes, we recommend using a centring drill that drills both holes during one drilling motion. Please always remove the protective foil in the riveting area prior to riveting.

Gluing
Gluing NedZink NOVA COMPOSITE is possible. Please consult your glue supplier for information on witch type of glue to use for your application

Drilling
NedZink NOVA COMPOSITE can be drilled with twist drills normally used for metal and plastics on machines common for metals. Centre if necessary. To position an overdimensioned hole correctly when drilling attachment holes into a rear construction, we recommend using a countersink.

Screwing
When screwing the panel in the exterior, it is important to ensure that the water-resistance of the façade is maintained. Neoprene underlay rings with stainless-steel upper rings may be used for this purpose. To make free shrinkage and expansion possible, the hole in the panel must be big enough. The screws must be adjusted to the increasing load and meet the requirements. Tighten the screws with a torque wrench to achieve the correct pressure. If the panel is tightened too much, it will not function any more, and will warp and damage will occur. Always make a test piece to check that your tools are suitable for working with NOVA COMPOSITE. When working, always work with the rolling direction of the zinc. That will always be indicated on the back of the NOVA COMPOSITE panel.

Installing NOVA COMPOSITE
Generally speaking we recognize 4 basic types of installing NedZink NOVA COMPOSITE Gluing, Clamping, Cassettes, Screwing. Next to these 4 basic types of installing other possibilities exist. In this case always do a test to see if your application is possible. It is always advisable to do a test to find out whether the requirements have been satisfied. There are no simple calculations available to make that determination. Zinc is a very durable metal but you need to take some precautions if you are installing NedZink NOVA COMPOSITE. Make sure that there is no permanent water on the zinc. Drill drainage holes were necessary to avoid this. See this manual (Chapter 10) what not to do with zinc. NedZink can never be held liable for any installation errors.

When detailing cassettes it’s important that the zinc patina will not be damaged. If the zinc patina no longer protects the zinc a phenomenon called “white rust” can occur. White rust is not under the guarantee of NedZink NOVA COMPOSITE. Take the right precautions while detailing Cassettes. Avoid standing water. Drill drainage holes of at least 8mm. Leave enough ventilation space between the composite material and the support structure. Avoid any contact with insulation material. With the right precautions you will enjoy NedZink NOVA COMPOSITE for many years. If you have any question on this subject, please contact NedZink.

Download Installation Guide NedZink NOVA COMPOSITE


Also applicable for NedZink NOVA COMPOSITE are the standard processing regulations for NedZink NATUREL, -NOVA, -NEO and -NOIR. 

Material characteristics
NedZink NATUREL is raw titanium zinc produced according to EN 988 & ASTM B69. NedZink NATUREL has a natural, rolled surface. NedZink NEO, NedZink NOVA and NedZink NOIR are pre-patinated types of zinc that are produced by means of a phosphating process. The basic material is natural NedZink titanium zinc. By phosphating the material, a surface very close to the regular natural patina is obtained. NedZink NUANCE is pre-weathered titanium zinc with pigments. This results, depending on the selected pigment, in a pre-weathered zinc variant with a blue, red or green color tint. All the properties offered by zinc are retained during this process.

Every rolled metal, NedZink material included, will show tension in a certain way. This is a consequence of the rolling process. With modern techniques, these tensions are reduced to a minimum. Nevertheless, it may be that these tensions occur, to a lesser degree, after the NedZink material is processed by third parties.

Surface protection
NedZink NATUREL is supplied with a bright, rolled surface. Exposure to the outside air and moisture results in a protective layer of zinc carbonate, which is called the patina. This process begins immediately after installation and will continue until a uniform patina is obtained. In the beginning, the appearance of the patina layer may look slightly mottled. Other factors that play a role in this patina process are: the orientation / geometry of the building, the weather conditions during assembly, and the storage of the titanium zinc prior to assembly.

NedZink NEO, NedZink NOVA, NedZink NOIR and NedZink NUANCE are natural products and as a consequence minor color differences will occur. A unique production process results in an extremely consistent color, but there is always a possibility of color variations (production batch related). Use material from the same production batch for each particular project to avoid color variations. The production batch number is stated on the backside of the material.

Always mount NedZink NEO, NedZink NOVA, NedZink NOIR and NedZink NUANCE in the same rolling direction (also to avoid color variations). The rolling direction is indicated by arrows on the rear of the material. This rolling direction must be checked before installing the material.

After many years the pigments of NedZink NUANCE will gradually fade and the color of the pre-weathered NedZink NOVA will appear on the surface. The durability of the pigments is highly dependent on environmental factors, such as the location of the building, temperature, UV exposure and air quality. Damage, perforation and adverse environmental factors can significantly shorten the lifetime of the pigments.

Processing NedZink NUANCE
Shaping and profiling must be done with a minimum bending radius of 2 mm (interior radius) with a material thickness of 0.70 mm. Damage, deep scratching and suchlike of the coating during processing should be avoided. If necessary, tools and machines need to be cleaned beforehand and any sharp edges must be removed in order to avoid any risk of damage.

Salt deposition
In a maritime climate, the salt in the air and/or water can react with zinc and form zinc chloride on surfaces that do not get rinsed off by rainwater. This appears as permanent white patches. These white patches do not have any impact on the functionality of the zinc and do not cause corrosion. In the absence of rain or on surfaces sheltered from rain, it is necessary to clean these areas regularly with (warm) water. NedZink is not responsible for the effects of salt deposition.

Anti-Fingerprint (AFP)
An Anti-Fingerprint coating is applied to prevent fingerprints during installation and to optimise machine processing. This AFP gives the material a slightly shiny surface, which will disappear over time.

Protection foil
Upon request, NedZink NOVA and NedZink NUANCE can be delivered with a temporary protective foil in order to reduce the risk of damage during processing & handling. NedZink NEO and NedZink NOIR is supplied with this temporary protective foil as standard. The foil is not permanently UV resistant and is only intended for temporary protection. The foil should be removed immediately after installation at the construction site. The temperature of the zinc must be at least 7 °C when the foil is removed. The foil should not be worked into assembly joints such as standing seams. Moisture between the zinc and the foil must be avoided at all times. If NedZink NEO, NedZink NOVA, NedZink NOIR or NedZink NUANCE are ordered without foil, the material will be more susceptible to scratching during handling.

Installation
Titanium zinc from NedZink can be used in ventilated and unventilated applications. In all cases (either ventilated or unventilated) the recommendations as stated on www.nedzink.com or in the technical instruction handbook from NedZink must be followed.

Zinc is a metal that expands and contracts with changes in temperature. In all cases, there must be an allowance for the free thermal expansion of the material when installed.

Titanium zinc and other materials

  • Because of the difference in electrolytic potential, titanium zinc may not be used together with the following metals: copper – lead – iron – gold – platinum – silver – nickel – cobalt – cadmium – chrome – tin – palladium – mercury
  • Direct contact with new concrete, lime, bitumen, mortar (and other products that contain cement) must be avoided at all times.
  • In connection with leaching, titanium zinc may not be used in combination with thatched roofs or Western Red Cedar wood. For other wood types, please refer to www.nedzink.com or the technical instruction hand book from NedZink.
  • Zinc is not recommended for use in combination with the following types of glue: acidic silicones and epoxies, urea/melamine glues, phenol-formaldehyde glues.

Soldering
A major advantage of NedZink material is the possibility of soldering the joints. In places where a solid, watertight joint is required (for example at gutters), soldering is done using a copper soldering iron and lead-tin solder and the appropriate soldering flux.

NedZink NOVA, NedZink NEO and NedZink NOIR can be soldered in the same way as new natural zinc, but special attention is needed. To obtain a good solder joint, the pre-weathered finishes on the surfaces to be soldered must be removed completely. This can be done by sanding or by rubbing the patina layer with a soldering flux, waiting a few seconds and then removing with a dry cloth. There are several brands of soldering flux that are ‘suitable for titanium zinc’ that can produce good results. For further soldering advice, please visit www.nedzink.com.

Mechanical processing
Below a material temperature of 7 °C, the zinc should not be deformed mechanically in order to avoid damage to the zinc (e.g. micro-cracks).

Transport and storage
The zinc must be adequately packed to avoid damage during transportation. NedZink products must always be transported in dry and ventilated conditions. The strips and sheets must be protected against transportation damage (scratching, denting).

NedZink material must be stored in a dry and ventilated area and protected against damage and especially against excessively high air humidity. Outdoor storage is not recommended.

NedZink B.V.

For more information about NedZink products, please refer to the technical instruction handbook from NedZink. This is available for download from this website. We can also send you a hard copy by mail. These processing regulations are produced with the utmost care. All information specified in these regulations is according to our current knowledge, and gives information about our products and their uses. No rights can be derived from the content of these regulations.