Benefits of Galvanized Steel
What is Hot Dip Galvanizing?
Hot Dip Galvanizing (HDG) is a process applied to carbon steel that basically prevents it from rusting. A protective coating of zinc is applied to the steel at the point that it is dipped into a molten bath of the zinc fluid that has been heated to around 450 degrees.
Galvanizing steelwork is common practice in the architectural metalwork industry for materials that are used externally. Many items will be left in the galvanized finish but this tends to be more on either rustic domestic properties or commercial buildings such as staircases, cat ladders and barriers. Where aesthetics are more important, customers will often choose to have the products powdercoated on top of the galvanized finish, applying any paint colour as required.
What are the benefits of Hot Dip Galvanizing?
Low cost
Galvanizing is a simple solution but also a low cost one. The application of primer paints, drying time and then the addition of one to three coats of gloss for example can be a lengthy and thus costly alternative. Galvanizing is a quick solution that can often be turned around in as little as 24hours if required.
Low maintenance
Hot Dip Galvanizing is a finish that will require literally zero maintenance, products can simply be left for years without any further treatments required -although the occasional yearly wash wouldn't go amiss. With low maintenance again comes lower costs in the long run.
Longetivity
Applying molten zinc to steel will give a life expectancy of upto an incredible 50 years in rural or urban environments and upto 25 years in coastal or high salt regions. This is why DioMet offer all our mild steel juliet balconies, handrails and balustrades in galvanized finish with the option for powdercoating. Supplying an inferior primer painted or gloss painted finish product is in our opinion poor practice.
Robust Finish
Galvanizing steelwork provides an exceptionally robust finish that has a unique metallurgical structure providing outstanding resistance to damage caused by scrapes, knocks, general wear and tear, transportation or erection damage.
Should the steelwork be damaged to a point where the bare metal is showing, this can be rectified by applying a zinc rich primer or galvanizing touch up spray.
Protection Coverage
Not only does the dipping of steel protect the exterior of a product but for hollow items such as a handrail tubes or washing line poles, the coating is applied internally throughout the whole product, every nook and cranny is licked with the zinc solution providing the ultimate coverage and protection.
Fair Weather Finish?
Hot dip galvanizing can be competed whatever the weather as the large vats of zinc are always undercover. A process that can run 365 days a year if your galvanizers are so inclined to do so allowing for no delay on projects that otherwise may be reliant on drying in the sun for example.
Further Reading :
Metal staircases and handrails
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