Corrosion-Resistant Metal Cladding Technology (Sun-Z-R) | Bonding Titanium and Tantalum to Steel to Achieve Both Corrosion Resistance and Structural Strength at Lower Cost

SPF (THAILAND) CO., LTD. imports, sells, and provides engineering consulting services in Thailand and the ASEAN region for chemical process equipment, such as heat exchangers, columns, vessels, and piping, utilizing "Sun-Z-R cladding technology" that bonds corrosion-resistant metals like titanium and tantalum directly to steel substrates. We support custom-made designs starting from a single unit and accept technical consultations directly at your site.

Table of Contents

• Cladding Technology to Minimize the Use of Expensive Corrosion-Resistant Metals
• Selecting Corrosion-Resistant Materials and Coatings Tailored to Corrosive Environments
• Local Support System in Thailand and the ASEAN Region
• Supported Specifications of Sun-Z-R Cladding Technology
• Target Products and Manufacturing & Testing Facilities at Our Japanese Headquarters
• Workflow from Design Consultation to Local Delivery
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

■ Cladding Technology to Minimize the Use of Expensive Corrosion-Resistant Metals

In chemical plants and surface treatment processes that handle high-temperature strong acids or highly corrosive chemicals, constructing entire equipment vessels solely out of expensive corrosion-resistant metals such as titanium or tantalum drastically increases material procurement costs for capital investment.

Because raw material costs account for a significant portion of manufacturing expenses in chemical equipment like heat exchangers and tanks, this can pose a substantial challenge for budget and cost management.

Our "Sun-Z-R cladding technology" addresses this issue by pressure-bonding and joining thin sheets of corrosion-resistant metals such as titanium or tantalum onto the fluid-contact surfaces of carbon steel or other load-bearing structural backing materials to form an integrated, single-body structure.

By using robust carbon steel for structural strength and applying the premium corrosion-resistant alloys only at the exact thickness required for fluid contact, we
significantly reduce raw material expenses compared to solid structures fabricated entirely from exotic alloys.

This approach successfully balances the mechanical strength needed for pressure boundaries and structures with the extreme corrosion resistance demanded by harsh operating environments, thereby minimizing initial capital expenditure upon equipment introduction.

■ Selecting Corrosion-Resistant Materials and Coatings Tailored to Corrosive Environments

In industrial processes that utilize highly aggressive chemicals such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, or various electroplating bath solutions, standard carbon steel or stainless steel deteriorates rapidly, potentially leading to pinhole leaks or critical fluid leakage within a short period of operation.

The SPF Group possesses an extensive track record in processing and handling a diverse range of corrosion-resistant metals, including titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), zirconium (Zr), and niobium (Nb). We conduct meticulous material selection by analyzing specific physical and chemical properties, such as corrosion performance and thermal conductivity, for each metal.

Furthermore, we support specialized surface treatments optimized for electrode applications, such as applying a platinum (Pt) coating onto titanium substrates. After carefully reviewing your chemical composition, operating temperatures, pressures, and target service life, we propose the ideal corrosion-resistant alloys and coating specifications.

Selecting the correct materials and surface treatments prevents equipment damage caused by chemical corrosion, ultimately extending equipment service life and reducing maintenance frequency and overall overhead.

■ Local Support System in Thailand and the ASEAN Region

When sourcing specialized process equipment made of exotic alloys from overseas manufacturers, companies often experience delays during initial specification design meetings, on-site measurements of existing equipment, or emergency response when field issues occur.

SPF (THAILAND) CO., LTD. is located in the WHA Chonburi Industrial Estate 1 in Sriracha, Chonburi Province, Thailand, where Japanese engineers and dedicated local technical staff are permanently stationed.

We serve clients not only within Thailand but also across other ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia, providing direct site visits for engineering consultations, technical specification verification, and on-site physical measurements.

Using the exact dimensional tolerances and operating conditions verified at your site, our team coordinates closely with the engineering division at our Japanese headquarters (SPF Co., Ltd., Nagoya, Aichi), which possesses rich expertise in processing exotic metals, to advance structural design and strength calculation.

Additionally, we handle importation paperwork utilizing Thailand's BOI tax exemption schemes, customs clearance procedures, and local delivery to your site through our single point of contact. This minimizes your procurement workload while ensuring the successful introduction of high-quality clad equipment designed and manufactured in Japan.

■ Supported Specifications of Sun-Z-R Cladding Technology

■ Target Products and Manufacturing & Testing Facilities at Our Japanese Headquarters

Through our local entity in Thailand, the SPF Group imports, distributes, and supports high-precision equipment engineered and manufactured at our production facility in Japan.

Primary Target Products Columns & Vessels: Various reaction towers, storage vessels, and pressure tanks used in industrial chemical processes. Heat Exchanges: Shell and tube heat exchangers designed to optimize thermal efficiency while handling highly corrosive fluids. Piping & Others: Specialized piping lines lined internally with corrosion-resistant metals, electrode busbars, titanium baskets, evaporators, and other accessories. Group Manufacturing Facilities & Specifications (Japanese Headquarters) Sun-Z-R Cladding Equipment: Specialized bonding machinery optimized for clad-joining titanium, tantalum, zirconium, and other exotic alloys. Liquid Penetrant Testing Equipment: Dedicated testing lines for 100% dye-penetrant inspection to verify weld and surface integrity. Ultrasonic Thickness Gauges: Precision instruments used to measure and verify material boundary thickness during quality control inspections.

■ Performance in Selecting Electrodes and Corrosion-Resistant Materials for Specification Changes

When changing operating environments or transitioning to environmentally friendly plating solutions with lower environmental impacts, existing electrodes or heat exchangers may no longer withstand the new chemical conditions. Our company supports these transitions by reviewing material selections and electrode specifications to resolve degradation issues.

For instance, in Malaysia, when a client updated to an eco-friendly process chemistry, the SPF Group successfully evaluated and proposed a specialized corrosion-resistant alloy layout that other fabricators could not handle, resolving the client's bottleneck and securing the project contract.

Furthermore, our Japanese headquarters has accumulated a wealth of fabrication records, including platinum-coated titanium anodes, heat exchangers integrating clad boundary materials, and custom chemical tanks designed for aggressive process environments.

■ Workflow from Design Consultation to Local Delivery

1. Local Engineering Audits and Physical Measurements Our technical team visits your factory in Thailand or other ASEAN countries to inspect the operating environment, chemical corrosion states, footprint tolerances, and connection interfaces with your existing piping.
2. Proposing Optimized Material Selection and Clad Specifications Based on chemical composition and temperature profiles, we collaborate with our Japanese headquarters to evaluate appropriate clad alloys (such as titanium, tantalum, or zirconium) and surface coating specifications, presenting detailed engineering proposals and cost estimates.
3. High-Precision Fabrication at Our Japanese Headquarters Following engineering approval, SPF Co., Ltd. utilizes specialized heavy machinery at our Japanese headquarters to execute Sun-Z-R cladding processes and final equipment assembly.
4. Local Delivery and Importation Support Once fabrication is complete, SPF (THAILAND) CO., LTD. acts as your direct importer, handling BOI exemption paperwork, customs clearance, and local logistics to deliver the equipment safely to your designated site.

※For more details, please download the attached materials or contact us via the form below.

■ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can we consult on optimal metal alloy selection and equipment design based on our current corrosive environment?
A1: Yes, absolutely. We evaluate your current operating conditions, the aggressive chemicals causing corrosion, operating temperatures, and pressures to select the ideal exotic alloy from options such as titanium, tantalum, zirconium, or niobium. Based on this evaluation, we propose tailored equipment designs incorporating our Sun-Z-R cladding technology.

Q2: Are products utilizing Sun-Z-R cladding technology manufactured at your factory in Thailand?
A2: No, they are not. Our Thai entity, SPF (THAILAND) CO., LTD., does not engage in the direct fabrication of clad equipment. To ensure the highest bonding quality and precise exotic alloy welding, all clad products are fabricated at our Japanese headquarters (SPF Co., Ltd., Nagoya, Aichi) and imported to Thailand. Our Thai team handles specification consulting, physical site measurements, BOI and import clearance paperwork, and after-sales support.

Q3: Do you offer standard off-the-shelf equipment, or is everything custom-built?
A3: All of our clad equipment is custom-designed and manufactured to fit your specific chemical process environments, physical footprint tolerances, and operating capacities. We support completely customized orders starting from a single unit.

※For more details, please download the attached materials or contact us via the form below.