Wytheville, VA, USA
History
If Covid-19 has taught us anything, it is that the world lacks an adequate supply of PPE (personal protective equipment) in emergencies. In December 2021, a new Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) Plant got underway to help solve the disposable nitrile glove shortage. These specific gloves are used for laboratory experimentation and various medical applications.
The $714M manufacturing facility is the first of its kind to be built in the United States in over 25 years and is estimated to create almost 2,500 jobs. This facility is estimated to eventually produce up to 60 billion gloves annually.
Portland Bolt’s Contribution
Portland Bolt provided an array of large, hot-dip galvanized, welded anchor rods to the tune of about 11,000 lbs that was delivered across the county in Wytheville, VA in under 6 weeks. With our 1.3+ million pounds of steel on the floor, in-house welders, and our own hot-dip galvanizing tank, the order made it on time, with automated emailed certs, to the contractor keeping them on their busy schedule.
Manufacturing Process
When manufacturing galvanized welded anchor rods, there is a specialized process that Portland Bolt goes through. These anchor rods were graded at ASTM A193 B7 and F1554 Grade 105. A193 B7 is often used for fasteners that are intended to endure high-temperature or high-pressure situations. F1554 Gr 105 is designed to be an anchor bolt embedded in concrete, with a 105 KSI minimum yield strength requirement.
Once these rods are threaded, the plate washers and nuts can then be threaded on and welded together as a part of the anchor bolt assembly. Once that step is complete, the galvanizing process can begin. Portland Bolt galvanizes all of their bolts in-house, with their own galvanizing line. There is a specific hot-dip galvanizing process that meets the requirements of ASTM specification F2329. This process involves wheelabrating, the use of caustic soda and sulfuric acid, flux submersion, and finally, the galvanizing process.
The newly made anchor bolt is now ready to be placed into concrete.
