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The increased demand for steel coils with more exemplary width and length parameters in the metal processing industry has led to precision slitting. It is a metal manufacturing process wherein a steel coil is cut into lengths and widths according to the buyer’s specifications. This process involves advanced technological equipment, software, and tooling practices that make the steel rolls move through extremely sharp circular blades, making the cuts.

At Zeeco Metals, our customers value the high level of precision and quality we offer in our slitting process. We ensure the use of quality equipment to process orders quickly and precisely at competitive prices. We are capable of slitting flat-rolled, low carbon, coated or non-coated steel coils.

What is Hot Dip Galvanizing?

In the metal industry, galvanizing refers to applying a protective zinc coating to iron or steel to prevent rusting. Among all the technology and techniques in galvanizing, hot dip galvanizing is one of the most cost-effective and efficient ways to protect metal products. It is the process of submerging steel in molten zinc bath in order to create a layer of zinc coating.

Part of this process is surface preparation, ensuring the steel’s surface is free from oxides and contaminants like dust and oil. This step is vital in galvanizing because zinc only reacts to clean surfaces. Steel is treated to a degreasing bath, acidic pickling bath, and fluxing in surface preparation.

When the steel is clean, it is dried out and fully dipped into a liquified zinc bath for about ten minutes. Per ASTM standards and regulations, the galvanizing kettle has to contain at least 98% zinc heated to a temperature of 830°F. In the galvanizing process, the zinc reacts to the metal and produces multiple layers of zinc-iron alloys.

Lastly, the products are visually inspected to ensure that the diffusion is complete. For example, a well-prepared steel surface should be thoroughly coated with zinc. The inspection also checks if the galvanized steel meets ASTM standards.

What are the Benefits of Hot Dip Galvanizing Steel?

Hot dip galvanizing is a century-old process and has gone through technological advancements to create more benefits than other galvanizing forms. The following are the most notable advantages of this process:

Corrosion Protection

Steel is one of the toughest construction materials, and hot dip galvanizing makes it even tougher. In addition, the process provides corrosion protection, especially in harsh environments where the steel is exposed to wind, dust, water, and heat.

The multiple zinc-iron layers offer three layers of protection for steel – barrier protection, cathodic protection, and zinc patina. The outer layer provides a protective barrier to seal the steel from its surrounding environment, while the zinc coating acts as a self-sacrificing anode to protect the metal. Finally, zinc patina, an oxidizing layer that forms as zinc is exposed to air, adds another level of protection at a rate that depreciates slower than non-coated steel.

Durability

The metallurgical process of hot dip galvanizing bonds zinc and iron, and the bonds make the layers impact and rust-resistant. Galvanized steel is highly malleable and can absorb and withstand significant physical damage before breakage. The zinc layer that fully encloses the steel is safe from harsh elements and is well-protected inside and out.

Longevity

Hot dip galvanized steel has an expected lifespan of 50-100 years because zinc corrodes 30% slower than ungalvanized steel exposed to the same conditions and atmosphere. Additionally, it can maintain itself for up to 70 years in industrial environments and much longer in rural and suburban settings.

Sustainability

Because zinc is a highly-abundant element, sustainability is one of the significant benefits of hot dip galvanizing. Its self-maintaining property also requires less maintenance and human resources, resulting in lower waste outputs. Steel and zinc are also recyclable, providing an infinite source of durable materials.
Hot dip galvanized steel is one of the most reliable methods of steel protection in the industrial world. It offers unparalleled benefits of corrosion protection, durability, longevity, and sustainability without breaking the bank.

Hot Dip Galvanized Steel Slitting

Zeeco Metals prides itself in flat-rolled coiled metal products, especially in creating cold and hot-rolled steel strips made from hot dipped galvanized steel. Our machines are highly competent in cutting hot dipped galvanized steel to widths that suit your needs and can reduce waste and excess materials. Our process gives a total zinc coverage on both sides and metallurgically bonded zinc-iron layers that meet American Society for Testing and Materials steel standards and requirements.

We store and slit hot dipped galvanized steel in the following grades:

• CS (CQ): Commercial Steel
• Types A, B, and C
• DS (DQ) or FS: Drawing Steel or Forming Steel (Coated Products)
• Types A and B
• DDS (DDQ): Deep Drawing Steel
• EDDS (IF): Extra Deep Drawing Steel
• HSLAS: High Strength Low Alloy Steels
• HSLAS Grade 50-80
• HSLAS-F 50-80
• C1006, C1008, C1010
• Half Hard
• Quarter Hard

Zeeco Metals’ slitting capabilities are rival to none, and they include:

• 2x 25” slitters in-house with larger slitters at outside processors
• Material Thickness: .01/.250
• Min/Max Slit width: .2-25” in-house, larger widths at outside processors
• Min/Max ID: 20”
• Max OD: varies per customer specifications
• Slit Width Tolerance: .005”

Zeeco Metals is a partner you can trust in delivering high-quality products customized to your needs and specifications in the fastest time possible at competitive prices.

Contact us today to get a quote or to learn more about our current inventory of steel coils and our slitting capabilities.