Steel is strong but susceptible to corrosion from oxidation. The chemical process of oxidation erodes steel particles and turns them into iron oxides. Galvanization is a standard technique to protect steel from corrosion by coating its surface with a layer of zinc, which undergoes slow oxidation to prevent oxygen from reaching the steel underneath. There are two types of galvanization - electroplating utilizes electricity to bind zinc while hot dipping quickly dips steel in molten zinc to create a thicker, stronger bond.
1. Protecting Steel from Corrosion
Steel may seem very tough and durable. It is very strong but
also flexible enough to withstand extreme tearing, shearing,
and compressing forces. Steel is also highly resistant to heat.
These physical properties make them highly ideal as
construction materials for buildings, bridges, dams, roads and
other infrastructures. Steel is the main metal for industries in
the form of machineries and support structures. However,
despite of the seeming invulnerability of steel, it is susceptible
to the passive force of corrosion.
2. The chemical process of oxidation literally erodes the particles
of steel, turning them into iron oxides. Steel is mostly iron with
traces of carbon and other elements such as manganese,
phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, and traces of oxygen, nitrogen and
aluminum. These elements are combined or alloyed with iron
to form stronger crystalline molecular structures. The iron
component remains vulnerable to corrosion through the
inevitable exposure to air. The corrosion process can be made
much worse if the steel surface is exposed to acid rain or
ocean's mist. Hence, bridges over salty water bodies need
additional protection.
Some steel components are coated with thin layer of chrome
for protection and also for additional aesthetic appeal. Chrome-
coated steel components are expensive and are limitedly used
in manufacturing motorcycle and car components.
Galvanization is a less expensive and a standard technique for
protecting steel from corrosion. It is basically about coating the
surface of steel with a layer of zinc. The zinc layer protects the
steel by undergoing a slow process of sacrificial oxidation to
prevent oxygen from combining with the steel. The process is
very slow that it may take several years before the zinc layer is
completely eaten up.
There are two types of galvanization, namely, electroplated
galvanization and hot dip galvanization. As the name implies,
electroplated galvanization utilizes electricity to bind the zinc
particles to the surface of the steel. This process, however,
3. takes a lot of time and is a bit more expensive. The second
method of galvanization is faster and more efficient. It involves
quickly dipping chemically-treated and cleaned steel into
molten zinc. This process creates a much thicker layer and
stronger bond.
You can learn more about the topic discussed in the article by
visiting our TCG-Industries.com.au website for related
information such as galvanised steel suppliers. You may also
follow this blog post
http://www.scribd.com/doc/133971478/Upsides-of-Using-
Fabricated-Steel for other information.