The basic principle of galvanizing is to permanently bond steel and zinc together to provide a more rust-resistant base metal. There are many types of electroplating, each with its own unique principles.

Galvanizing prevents corrosive substances such as acids from reaching the base metal.

Zinc is more prone to sacrificial anodes than base metals when the coating is scratched. Therefore, it provides full protection against rust.

Zinc corrodes faster than base metals. This event is a great way to preserve base metals. Chromates can be added since the intent is to allow the zinc to rust before the metal for adequate protection.

However, an efficient galvanizing process depends heavily on pre- and post-treatments. Inefficient pretreatment will prevent molten zinc from fully reacting with steel to form a perfect prepainted galvanized steel coil. In addition, inefficient post-treatment processes can affect the appearance of the galvanized film. Therefore, the value of the component is lowered.

What are the advantages of galvanized steel sheet?

Many different industries use galvanized steel and color coated steel coil, primarily because of the wide-ranging benefits it provides to the industry, including:

Low initial cost compared to most treated steels. In addition, galvanized steel is delivered ready for use. It does not require additional surface preparation, inspection, painting/coating, etc., resulting in further cost savings for the company.

Longer life. When galvanized, a piece of industrial steel can be expected to last 50+ years in typical environments and 20+ years with severe water exposure. No maintenance required. The increased durability of steel finishes also increases product reliability.

Sacrificial anodes ensure that any damaged steel is protected by the surrounding zinc coating. It doesn't matter if the steel section is fully exposed; the zinc will still corrode first. The coating will preferentially corrode the steel, providing sacrificial protection to the damaged area.

Zinc coating for rust resistance. The iron element in steel is very prone to rust, but the addition of zinc acts as a protective buffer between the steel and any moisture or oxygen. Galvanized steel is highly protective, including sharp corners and grooves that other coatings cannot, making it less prone to damage.