Hot dip galvanizing is the process of coating iron or steel with a layer of zinc by immersing the metal in a bath of molten zinc at a temperature of around 450 °C (842 °F).
In brief, hot dip galvanizing is a type of galvanizing. The key difference between galvanized and hot dip galvanized is that galvanized materials have a smooth and sharp finishing, whereas hot sip galvanized structures have a rough finishing.
Rust resistance
from the zinc coating. The iron elements in steel are incredibly prone to rusting, but the addition of zinc acts as a protective buffer between the steel and any moisture or oxygen. Galvanized steel is very protective, including sharp corners and recesses that couldn’t be protected with other coatings, making it resistant to damage.
Low initial cost
compared to most treated steels. In addition, galvanized steel is immediately ready to use when delivered. It does not require additional preparation of the surface, inspections, painting/coatings, etc. sparing companies more costs on their end.
Longer life
With galvanization, a piece of industrial steel is expected to last more than 50 years in average environments, and can last over 20 years with severe water exposure. There is no maintenance required. The increased durability of the steel’s finished product also increases the product’s reliability.
Hot-Dip Galvanizing (HDG) Process
The galvanizing process consists of three basic steps: surface preparation, galvanizing, and inspection.
Surface Preparation
The surface preparation step in the galvanizing process has its own built-in means of quality control because zinc simply will not react with unclean steel.
Galvanizing
The “galvanizing” step of the process occurs when steel is completely immersed in a bath (kettle) of molten zinc.
Inspection
The last phase of the process, inspection, is simple and quick. The two properties of the hot-dip galvanized coating closely scrutinized are coating thickness and coating appearance.
Service Benefits
- What materials are hot dip galvanizing?
- Is hot dip galvanizing safe?
- How hot is hot-dip galvanizing?