BUMAX Fasteners Solve Corrosion and Fatigue Failures on Balder Roller Coaster
Background
Located in Liseberg Amusement Park in Gothenburg, Sweden, Balder is one of the world’s largest wooden roller coasters — and a flagship attraction known for its speed, intensity, and wooden structure. Since opening in 2003, the ride has been exposed to harsh environmental conditions, including salt-laden air, humidity, temperature swings, and chemically treated wood — all of which placed extreme stress on its fasteners.
Over time, these conditions led to premature screw failures, raising both safety and maintenance concerns for the park.
BUMAX 88
Our Features
The Challenge:
Within a few years of operation, 8.8/10.9 carbon steel screws originally used in Balder’s construction began to corrode and fail due to fatigue. Liseberg replaced them with A4 stainless steel screws in hopes of improving durability, but those lacked the necessary strength — creating a new problem.
Liseberg needed a fastener that could:
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Resist corrosion from saltwater, treated wood, and urban emissions
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Provide high tensile and fatigue strength
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Adapt to seasonal wood movement without breaking or loosening
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Reduce maintenance frequency and safety risks for the crew working at height
The Solution Approach:
To address the challenge, Liseberg turned to BUMAX for a long-term solution. Together, a custom 355 mm M10 BUMAX 88 screw was engineered to replace both the failing carbon steel and underperforming A4 screws.
Why BUMAX 88 Was the Ideal Solution:
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Extreme Fatigue Resistance: BUMAX 88 fasteners withstood 10 million load cycles at 400±55 MPa preload — compared to just 0.4 million cycles for A4-80 screws.
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Superior Corrosion Resistance: Withstood constant exposure to moisture, chemicals, and salt air from nearby coastal conditions.
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Mechanical Strength & Flexibility: Strong enough for high load demands, yet flexible enough to handle movement in the wood structure.
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Sustainable Materials: Manufactured from 100% recyclable stainless steel, reducing environmental impact and material waste.
The Results:
Since BUMAX 88 screws were implemented across Balder, no failures have been reported — a major win for safety, reliability, and operational efficiency at Liseberg Amusement Park.
✔ Zero screw failures in over a decade of service
✔ Eliminated frequent, costly maintenance and emergency repairs
✔ Improved safety for park staff by reducing high-altitude interventions
✔ Extended the life of the coaster’s structure
✔ Enhanced guest safety and ride uptime
✔ Minimized environmental impact through durable, recyclable materials
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