Pragmatism: An Article to Help You Sort Out The Different Solar Bracket Materials

First, let's start with galvanized Zinc-Aluminum-Magnesium and hot-dip galvanized. Both materials are essentially steel, but the surface plating is different. In order to differentiate between them, we will explain five aspects of their respective advantages, market distribution, application scenarios, price and recycling value.

Magnesium-Aluminum-Zinc (ZAM) coating is composed of zinc, aluminum, and magnesium, and is primarily used for the protection of steel surfaces. It offers excellent corrosion resistance, particularly in humid and acidic or alkaline environments. Compared to traditional galvanized coatings, ZAM provides stronger corrosion protection and maintains good performance at high temperatures. With its high oxidation resistance, ZAM effectively extends the service life of structures such as brackets.

ZAM also has a high strength, making it suitable for applications that require the ability to bear heavy loads. As a result, its market demand is growing in environments with high corrosion levels (such as coastal areas) or applications where durability is a key requirement.

ZAM is widely used in large-scale solar power plants, rooftop solar mounting systems, and other applications where long-term corrosion resistance and high load-bearing capacity are critical. Although the price of magnesium-aluminum-zinc is relatively high, its long-term value makes it ideal for use in specialized environments. Additionally, while the recycling market for ZAM is still small, its recycling value is considerable.

Hot-dip galvanizing is a process in which steel is immersed in molten zinc to form a zinc coating, thereby enhancing its corrosion resistance. This coating is particularly suitable for outdoor and harsh environments, offering a long service life. Hot-dip galvanizing is relatively low in cost, making it ideal for large-scale production. It is widely used in fields such as construction, bridges, and pipelines, and performs well in dry conditions with good corrosion resistance, making it highly adaptable to various structures.

Due to its high cost-effectiveness, hot-dip galvanized material dominates the mid-to-low-end market, especially in projects with limited budgets or lower corrosion resistance requirements. It is particularly suitable for cost-sensitive applications such as ground-mounted solar power systems and public infrastructure.

Although the recycling value of hot-dip galvanizing is relatively low, there is still some market demand for it.

Next we're going to talk about aluminum.

Aluminum itself has excellent corrosion resistance, especially with the aluminum oxide layer that forms in the air, which effectively protects the base material. Aluminum is lightweight yet strong, making it widely used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and construction. It also has good electrical and thermal conductivity.

Due to its lightweight nature, aluminum is easy to install and transport. Its natural corrosion resistance means it requires minimal additional protective treatment, while its excellent thermal conductivity helps with heat dissipation.

Aluminum holds a prominent position in the high-end market, particularly in projects that demand low weight and aesthetic appeal. It is widely used in commercial and residential roofing systems, lightweight bracket designs, and applications that require special heat dissipation.

Although aluminum is relatively expensive, it excels in applications where weight and appearance are critical. Furthermore, aluminum has the highest recycling value and the strongest market demand.