The Bollard Pole/Stem

Solar Bollard Lighting (SBL) use only high strength marine grade 6106 T6 extruded aluminium profiles and has an in-situ life cycle that could exceed 30 years. The SBL bollard pole will be capable of 2-3 solar luminaire changeovers throughout its operational life before requiring replacement.

Competitor products have an expected 3–5-year life cycle before requiring complete asset (luminaire and pole) so increases OPEX due to additional labour charges for asset removal and re-installation, and costs related to disposal of the expired asset, new asset packaging and transport costs.

The following information is about the various metal types used in most commercial solar lighting products:

ALUMINIUM BOLLARD POLES COME IN TWO TYPES:

DIE CAST is the cheapest process and uses various raw aluminium grades depending on where it is made, and the cheapest option to keep costs down.

Die casting has two processes:

  • HIGH PRESSURE CASTING
    • can only produce thin wall sections
    • has a low strength
  • LOW PRESSURE CASTING
    • wall thickness must be more than 3mm thick to cast
    • has a high strength

Finish options:

  • only 360 or 380 grade casting aluminium can be successfully anodised
  • other grades require powder coating (chipping can occur).

EXTRUSION which is the most expensive process as supplied only by Solar Bollard Lighting

COMMERCIAL 6106 EN 6106

  • Aluminium alloy 6106 provides optimum combination of mechanical properties, complexity of shape, minimum section thickness, good surface finish, good resistance, weld ability and formability.
  • 6000 Series alloys achieve their properties by thermal treatment which can be adjusted to provide combinations of strength and formability with excellent corrosion resistance and weldability.

APPLICATIONS

Alloy 6106 is typically used for:

  • Marine applications
  • Automotive structures
  • Railway rolling stock
  • Structural applications
  • Ladders, pylons, and towers

TEMPER TYPE

  • Our temper for 6106 aluminium is T6 – Solution heat treated and artificially aged

FINISH TYPES

  • 25um anodising (marine grade standard)
  • Powder coating (chipping can occur)

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

Chemical Composition

Above readings refer to profiles in the T6 condition only.

STEEL – Not Commonly Used In Solar Bollard Lights

  • More prone to rusting, especially in areas close to the coastline, flood plains etc.
  • Has a very high strength
  • Finish options:
    • Hot dip galvanised with options of
      – Powder coating (chipping can occur)
      – Liquid coating (chipping can occur)
  • Weathering steel

STAINLESS STEEL 304 OR 316 (PREFERABLE)- Used by some companies upon request at additional charge

  • Very expensive, rarely used in solar bollard lights
  • Has high corrosion resistance
  • Very high strength
  • Can become tea stained over time and look untidy