Galvanising
What is galvanising?
It’s a question we often get asked.The simplest way to explain galvanising is to imagine the humble metal garden watering can. The process of galvanising covers the mild steel watering can with a coating of Zinc which protects it against rusting and corrosion.
This process is exactly the same one we use on our products to protect them against corrosion. If you are looking to protect your investment we recommend galvanising.
Once your product has been galvanised the final powder coat is applied over the top.
The galvanising process offers:
- Durability – a permanently bonded tough coating
- Hygienic – easy to clean surface
- Long Life – Up to 50 years+ maintenance free
- Economic – lowest overall cost compared to other coatings
Long life
Galvanizing can give a maintenance-free life of over 50 years. (This is dependent on the environment it is being used in).
Competitive first cost
For many applications the cost of galvanizing is lower than that of applying alternative protective coatings.
Lowest lifetime cost
Low initial cost and long life make galvanizing the most versatile and economic way of protecting steel for long periods. There are bonuses from no maintenance or extended maintenance intervals.
Reliability
The process is relatively simple, straightforward and closely controlled. The thicknesses of coatings formed are regular, predictable and simply specified. Galvanizing is one of the few coatings which is completely defined by a British Standard (BS EN ISO 1461).
Coating toughness
Galvanizing is unique: the hot dip process produces a coating which is bonded metallurgically to the steel. No other coating process has this feature, and as a result galvanized steel has by far the greatest resistance to mechanical damage during handling, storage, transport and construction – an important factor where steel work is to be shipped around the world.
Complete coverage
Because it is formed by dipping steel in molten zinc, all parts of the surface of the steel are coated – inside, outside, awkward corners, and narrow gaps which would be impossible to protect in any other way.
The coating actually tends to build up at vital corners and edges – rather than thinning out as do brushed, sprayed and other dipped coatings.
Three-way protection
Galvanized coatings protect steel in three ways:
- Firstly, the coating weathers at a very slow rate giving a long and predictable life.
- Secondly, the coating corrodes preferentially to provide cathodic (sacrificial) protection to any small areas of steel exposed through drilling, cutting or accidental damage; scratches are sealed by weathering products from the zinc.
- Thirdly, if the damaged area is larger, the sacrificial protection prevents the sideways creep of rust which can undermine paint coatings.
Can you galvanise my item for me?
We certainly can!
We offer a superb price on galvanising. Simple!
This service is available to steel fabricators and private customers with a 25 mile radius of our workshop.
We don't bite! Why not contact us and ask us a question?
