{"id":939,"date":"2022-09-01T14:16:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-01T18:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/temp.local\/?p=939"},"modified":"2023-04-24T21:35:05","modified_gmt":"2023-04-25T01:35:05","slug":"what-is-galvanized-steel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rangehoodhomeland.com\/equipment-and-supplies\/what-is-galvanized-steel\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Galvanized Steel? Do My Vents Need It? (Answered)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you’re working on your ventilation ducting system, you’ve probably heard the term galvanized steel a few times. But what is galvanized steel?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article will cover what galvanized steel is, how it works, and why it’s important for your ventilation ductwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Galvanized steel is a type of steel that has undergone a treatment process with a protective zinc coating to prevent rust. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is galvanized steel?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Galvanized Steel<\/a> is a metal that has gone through galvanization, preventing rust. The galvanization process is the process of adding a thin coat of zinc<\/strong> to different types of metals. Different methods are used to galvanize metal, including pre-galvanizing, electro-galvanizing, and hot dipping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does galvanizing protect the metal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Below are some of the advantages of galvanizing metal<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. The zinc coating keeps corrosive chemicals such as acid (for example, acid rain) from accessing the metal beneath.<\/li>
  2. Galvanization prevents corrosion. Even if the coating is scratched, the zinc coating will still “sacrifice its anode” easier than the base metal, preventing corrosion.<\/li>
  3. Zinc protects the base metal by corroding quicker than the base metal. In addition, the galvanized metal is sometimes treated with a “chromate,” which increases the corrosion rate. Even though it seems like you would not want this to happen, it’s protecting the underline metal from corrosion.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Which metals can be galvanized?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Iron and steel are the two most frequently galvanized metals. However, several types of metal can be treated with this process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Most iron-based metals can be galvanized<\/strong>, while most non-ferrous metals cannot. If you are uncertain, you can use a magnet to tell if a metal is ferrous or non-ferrous. A magnetic object will stick to metal. If the magnet does not adhere, it’s a non-ferrous metal. Some of the metals that can be galvanized include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    • Cast iron<\/li>
    • Malleable iron <\/li>
    • Cast steel<\/li>
    • Hot-rolled Steel<\/li>
    • Cold-rolled steel <\/li>
    • Weathering Steel <\/li>
    • 300 series Stainless steel<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      What is the galvanization process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      There are three main methods<\/strong> of galvanizing metal:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. The hot-dip method<\/li>
      2. Electrogalvanization method<\/li>
      3. Pre-galvanizing method<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        1. The hot-dip method <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        This galvanization procedure forms a beautiful, thick layer of zinc on top of the base metal, making it extremely corrosion-resistant. The hot-dip method doesn’t cause structural integrity to be compromised in most instances. However, hydrogen embrittlement can sometimes occur in high-strength steels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The steel used in automobile bodies is also galvanized, but a different method is employed because decorative paint coats must be placed afterward. This is due to the hot-dip method’s thick zinc coating, which interferes with paint adhesion. To remedy this, automobile manufacturers use the electro-galvanization process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        2. Electrogalvanization method<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        On the other hand, electro galvanized automobile manufacturers use the electro galvanization process.  A tank is filled with saltwater (saline) and zinc solution, and the steel or base metal is dipped inside. A current is passed across the vat, and the zinc bonds to the base metal!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        3. Pre-galvanizing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        This method varies according to the galvanized component’s nature. Generally, steel components are immersed for a brief length of time in a “galvanizing bath” of molten zinc. Excess zinc is removed from the steel when it is taken from the bath using a mechanical wiper, an air knife, or steam. This results in a somewhat thin zinc galvanized coating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        If you want to see how things are made, watch this video called “How It’s Made: Ductwork – Behind the Yellow Tape from the ColonialWebb YouTube channel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n