UK plate and specialty metals supplier Murray Metals (MM) has bought Alphastrut, giving it a foothold in the offshore oil an dgas industry.
Alphastrut offers an aluminium support and cable containment system which MM says is more than 50% lighter than conventional steel support and cable containment systems.
It has already been used successfully in a number of North Sea infrastructure developments, since 2009, and has scope for use in major global build projects, including in Asia Pacific, Africa and Gulf of Mexico, says MM.
Alphastrut founder and developer Andrew Munro, based in Bellshill, Scotland, remains as Technical Director and joins the 200 strong UK team at MM.
According to MM, aluminium is non-combustible and has a zero flame spread rating. Alphastrut is anodized to AA25 marine grade. It has been through an accelerated salt spray test, comfortably passing 1048 hours, giving it a life expectancy in excess of 30 years, making it comparable to stainless steel in corrosion resistance terms.
Alphastrut AC-01 channel has been designed to carry loads similar to those carried by standard 41 x 41 x 2.5 steel or stainless steel channels.
Alphastrut AC-01 is approximately 48% lighter than standard channels, and the aluminium brackets are approximately 66% lighter. It is expected that 50% weight savings will be achieved over conventional systems.
The Alphastrut support system replaces traditional steel support systems and can be used in everything from load-bearing raised-access floors to ceiling grids and bulkhead supports.