Product Description, Applications
USP Structural Connectors has been making professional grade structural connectors for more than 50 years, and provides a comprehensive retail lumber connector program oriented towards the professional. USP offers over 4000 structural connector products, including complete truss connector lines and engineered wood product (EWP) connectors that are recognized by all North American engineered lumber manufacturers. USP is ISO 9000:2001 certified and maintains strict quality control standards that are audited by an independent outside agency.

Construction, Materials, Finishes
USP selects steel for its products based upon application needs and steel properties, including tensile strength, ductility, corrosion resistance, gauge and weldability. Structural connectors are manufactured from prime quality galvanized and hot-rolled steel. Consult USP for specific product composition information.

Types:

• Purlin, beam and joist hangers and supports
• Truss and girder truss hangers
• Hurricane seismic anchors, truss anchors, straps and light framing devices
• Anchor downs, column bases, column caps, beam seats and hinge connectors

All galvanized products have a zinc coating. Hot-dip galvanized parts are galvanized after fabrication with a minimum of 1 oz of zinc per ft² (28 g per 0.09 m²) of surface. Non-galvanized steel products are prime coated for corrosion protection. It is important that the potential for corrosion be considered as part of the connector selection criteria. For improved corrosion resistance, 3 additional finish options are described below:

Triple Zinc (TZ)
Triple Zinc galvanizing provides a prefabrication coating of 1.85 (G-185) oz of zinc per ft² (52 g per 0.09 m²) of surface area. Triple Zinc G-185 connectors may be used as an economic alternative to stainless steel connectors for corrosion protection with new wood preservatives. TZ finished parts require the use of hot- dip galvanized fasteners.

Hot-Dip Galvanized (HDG)
HDG galvanizing provides an after-fabrication hot-dipped zinc coating. The coating thickness generally ranges from 1.1 - 2.3 oz of zinc per ft² (31 - 65 g per 0.09 m²) of surface depending on the connector material. HDG finished parts require the use of hot-dip galvanized fasteners.

Stainless Steel (SS)
For maximum corrosion protection, USP recommends the use of 316 grade stainless steel connectors. Although costs are higher, stainless steel is virtually corrosion-proof, a needed feature in certain applications. Stainless steel finished parts require the use of stainless steel fasteners.