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!