Often, we get inquiries from customers asking us to quote on a quantity or series of items. Slide bearings, slotted steel shims, masonry anchors turnbuckle assemblies, etc. While we are always happy to do so, and appreciate the opportunity, it is sometimes difficult to get the customer to focus on the product as well as the cost.

The Steel Supply Company began in 1898 as a manufacturer of paint and specialized in steel coatings. Over the years, the company has learned some things about coatings, steel, rust inhibition, and protecting steel from the elements. So, when a situation arose in the field regarding coatings, there were no better people to consult with. Sandy Liedeker, grandson of the founder Abraham Liedeker, began his career in 1952, eventually becoming a paint chemist. Whenever we reached out to him for help or information regarding a coating issue his most common response was, and still is, “surface preparation.”

There are an unlimited number of brands and types of Shop Coat Primer for the Steel Fabricator to choose from. Levels of quality vary greatly and different systems can be called out on shop drawings. They will range from the basic Red Oxide or Gray shop coat, with no additional requirements to the more complex and much more expensive 2-part systems, High Solids Rust Inhibitives and Universal Primers.

Fabricated steel is usually primed in the shop and at times requires welding in the field. Most alkyd (oil) based primers will burn away immediately and turn to dust. This leaves the weld and weld area without any corrosion protection. Often, it will begin rusting within days. There are a number of factors that cause weld material to rust. For a better understanding of what causes Weldment Corrosion ASM offers an in-depth review “Basic Understanding of Weld Corrosion.” (click)

Unlike any of the other bearings mentioned in this discussion, thermal break bearings are built to handle static loads only.

Rubber Bearing Pads

Teflon® Slide Bearings / Fluorogold® Slide Bearings

To the Steel Fabricator, Steel Erector or any construction trade, the category “Bearings” is comprised of many different products. Some, like elastomeric bearings, are made to order and are not re-sized or adjusted in any way by the end fabricator or erector. For purposes of this article we will focus on the bearing materials that can be cut to size, drilled and shaped by the fabricator.

Initial installation of a Slide Bearing Assemlbly can be very different from the eventual replacement of the very same bearing. Virtually, all bearing assemblies are intended to be replaced at some point during the life of the structure. This is true of Teflon® Slide Bearings and the more durable Fluorogold® Slide Bearings. It also holds true for Elastomeric Bearings, Viblon Shims and Bearings and Commercial Grade Neoprene. In our experience, we have not seen an application where a bearing assembly was intended to be permanent.

Weld-on Rebar Anchors can be specified in several types and styles. In each case, there are advantages and disadvantages. What is important, and of utmost concern to the architect and project engineer, is the strength of the connection between the structural steel and the rebar. The strength is designated by the connect type.