Key Considerations With Hot Dipped Galvanized Steel
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Hot dipped galvanized steel is popular for applications that are in harsh environments due to its durability and corrosion resistance. It is produced by subjecting a hot-rolled pickled and oil or cold rolled coil to a hot zinc bath. This provides the steel with a coating that increases durability with regards to rusting and other forms of degradation.
Zeeco Metals slits hot dipped galvanized steel coils by feeding a master coil through sharp circular blades on our slitter head to slit the coil into narrower widths that our customers then use to create their desired part. This post will explore the process of creating hot dipped galvanized steel.
The Process of Hot Dip Galvanizing
By understanding how hot dipped galvanized steel is created, and for what reasons it is created, you can ensure you are using the right type of carbon-based steel for your job. Here are the steps:
1. Material Selection
All hot dipped galvanized steel begins its life as either a hot-rolled pickled and oil coil or as a cold rolled coil. Hot-rolled pickled and oiled coils are selected for galvanizing because of its low-cost point and when the application’s gauge tolerances are wide. Cold rolled coils are selected for their tighter gauge tolerance, lower gauges, and improved surface quality.
2. Prefluxing
Prefluxing is an optional step that can improve the quality of adhesion to the galvanized coating. After the steel undergoes the acidic solution as part of the fluxing solution, its surface is cleaned, and the coil is ready to be put through the zinc bath.
3. Hot Dipped Galvanizing
The steel is immersed in a molten zinc bath during the hot dipped galvanizing process. The zinc adheres to the steel’s surface, providing a protective coating layer that keeps corrosion at bay.
The thickness of the zinc coating needed is determined by the harshness of the environment for which the steel must endure in its parts’ end use. For example, steel exposed to harsher settings, such as marine environments, often requires thicker coatings such as G60 or even G90.
4. Finishing
After hot dipped galvanizing, it is crucial to eliminate any excess zinc by draining, vibrating, or centrifuging the material. The galvanized item is then cooled in air or quenched in water. While the air-quenching process may take longer, it is preferred for architecturally exposed steel as it produces a superior surface finish.
5. Checking or Inspecting
Finally, the hot dipped galvanized steel undergoes a thorough inspection to ensure it meets the required standards. The inspection process involves checking the thickness of the zinc coating and ensuring that there are no defects or voids. This process also verifies that the steel meets the required specifications.
Zeeco Metals: Your Trusted Partner for Precision Slitting of Hot Dipped Galvanized Steel!
At Zeeco Metals, we are known for providing quality slit galvanized coils ranging from 10 gauge to 30 gauge with the bulk of our inventory being from 16-22 gauge. We have coils that’s grades range from EDDS to HSLA grade steels. After many years in the business our customers have come to trust us as a source of quality galvanized steel and to complete their orders faster than other steel service centers and at market competitive prices. We can slit various types of flat rolled low carbon-based steel coils, including both coated and uncoated products.
Contact us today to learn more about our slitting capabilities and to get a quote or explore our services!
Electro-Galvanized Steel Benefits
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Electro-galvanization is a widespread technique that applies a thin zinc layer onto steel to protect it against corrosion. It varies from the conventional galvanization approach as it deploys an electric current to bond the zinc onto the steel surface. This generates a more consistent and accurate coating. It is extensively utilized in various industries, including the automotive, construction, and electrical sectors.
This article will explore how electro-galvanization works and highlight the benefits of using electro-galvanized steel to produce durable and reliable components.
The Electro-Galvanization Process
Electro-galvanization involves applying a thin layer of zinc onto a steel substrate to protect against rust and corrosion. The steel is first cleaned to remove any contaminants or impurities that could interfere with the bonding process. Then, it is submerged into an electrolyte solution containing zinc ions, with an electric current passing through the solution.
The electric current facilitates the transfer of zinc ions from the electrolyte solution to the steel surface. This results in the formation of a zinc layer or coating. Next, the thickness of the coating is controlled by adjusting the current density and duration of the process. Lastly, the resulting zinc covering is tightly bonded to the steel surface, providing reliable protection against external factors.
Advantages of Utilizing Electrogalvanized Steel
Electrogalvanized steel offers a range of advantages over other corrosion protection methods, making it a popular choice in various industries. Below are five benefits of improving steel properties through the process of electro-galvanization:
Corrosion Resistance
Electro-galvanization enables steel to be highly resistant to rust and corrosion, owing to the zinc coating applied to its surface. This zinc layer acts as a barrier that corrodes before the underlying steel substrate, protecting it from damage. Because of this, it is an ideal material for applications susceptible to moisture and other corrosive elements.
Precision and Uniformity
The electro-galvanization process produces a highly uniform and precise coating, which is harder to achieve with other coating methods. The thickness of the zinc coating can be accurately controlled by adjusting the density and duration of the process, resulting in a consistent thickness. This high precision level is particularly essential in industries where consistent performance is critical for the durability of the products.
Versatility
The versatility of the electro-galvanization technique enables it to be used in various industries and applications. In the automotive industry, it is used for structural components and body panels where protection against corrosion is essential for safety and longevity. The construction industry employs steel for roofing, walls, and structural elements, where durability and resistance to weathering are crucial.
Environmental Sustainability
Electro-galvanization is an environmentally sustainable technique due to its minimal waste and emissions. The process produces little to no hazardous waste or byproducts, reducing the environmental impact of steel production. Moreover, the zinc used in galvanization is readily available and easily recyclable. Zinc can also be extracted from recycled sources such as old cars and construction materials.
Choose Zeeco Metals for Your Galvanneal and Electrogalvanized Steel Needs
At Zeeco Metals, we have nearly five decades of experience as a supplier of high-quality electro-galvanized steel coils. Our inventory of electro-galvanized steel coils range from 29 gauge to 16 gauge, with the bulk of inventory falling between 16 and 23 gauge. These coil grades range from EDDS material to some HSLA grades.
We are equipped with two 25” slitters in-house, that provide arguably the fastest lead times in the industry, and we have access to larger slitters at other facilities. With our extensive inventory and superior processing capabilities, we are well positioned to meet your requirements for high-quality coated steel products!
Contact us to inquire about our slitting services or request a quote. We would happily assist you and discuss our services in more detail.