Galvanized Steel

Hot dip galvanizing is the process of applying a zinc coating to iron and steel by immersing the material in a bath consisting primarily of molten zinc.

There are three basic elements in the galvanizing process:

1. Surface Preparation — This process consists of hot alkali solution to remove organic contaminants like dirt, paint markings, grease, and oil from metal surfaces. Next the material is pickled by dipping it in a diluted solution of hot sulfuric acid or ambient temperature hydrochloric acid. The material is then fluxed by dipping it in an aqueous solution of zinc ammonium chloride.

2. Galvanizing — This is the complete immersion of the material in a bath of at least 98% pure molten zinc until it reaches bath temperature of 850 degrees fahrenheit. It is then slowly withdrawn and the excess galvanizing is removed.

3. Inspection — This consists of visual checks for appearance and a variety of simple laboratory tests for thickness, uniformity and adherence of coating.

Galvanized metal is used in a variety of applications such as: bridges, highways, power generation, transportation, water and waste treatment, buildings, agriculture and food processing, petrochemical and chemical, pulp and paper, and original equipment manufacturing.

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