There can be a lot of confusion among people when discussing galvanised sheet metal such as what is galvanisation? What is it for? Why is it used?

Throughout this blog, we plan to answer some of these questions and keep you informed on the ins and outs of galvanised sheet metal.

 

What is Galvanisation?

Galvanisation is a manufacturing process in which a small zinc coating is applied to an iron or stainless steel sheet to prevent and protect against rusting.

This can be done in a variety of ways, such as electrogalvanising and galvannealing however, the most popular method tends to be hot dip galvanisation.

The process begins by cleaning the mild steel with a degreasing solution, which is then lowered into a vat of hot, diluted sulfuric acid.

This steel is then fluxed in an aqueous solution, normally zinc ammonium chloride.

Finally, the steel is placed in a vat of molten zinc before being inspected and thoroughly checked before it is sent out for mass production.

 

Galvanised Steel

Galvanised sheet metal is among some of the most popular options available to buy on the market today due to its unique durability while retaining the strength and utility of the underneath steel.

The versatility offered by this product makes it one of the most sought-after metals in the world, as it means that it can be applied to just about any type of construction job.

 

Advantages of Galvanised Steel

Among many of the advantages of the galvanisation process for steel that we have previously discussed, there are plenty more reasons why these types of metal are so popular alongside aluminium or various other metals.

 

Low cost

One of the greatest advantages of this type of steel is that it has incredibly low initial costs when compared to other treated steels and will save you a lot of money in the long run.

It does not require any additional preparation for surface and structure inspections, therefore making it incredibly cost-effective.

 

Longevity

Most thick galvanised sheet metal is expected to last around 50 years due to the added layer of zinc protecting it against corrosion and rust; this makes the longevity of the galvanised steel sheet much greater.

When expected to experience extreme water exposure, this number drops to around 20 years; however, this is still much longer than the life span of most non-galvanised metal products.

 

Rust Resistance

As we have stated above, the addition of zinc to the previously constructed compound of metal makes rust resistance a much easier task.

Iron is incredibly prone to rust when exposed to oxygen or moisture; the zinc acts as a barrier between the steel and the moisture of the air.

 

Conclusion

To conclude, galvanisation is an incredibly useful process that increases the strength and longevity of many different types of metal commonly used in the construction and engineering industries.

Galvanised sheet metal is one of the most used metals in the world, and for good reason; it houses a host of different properties that make it incredibly desirable for most businesses in the industry.

We hope that this has been a helpful guide to galvanisation and galvanised sheet metal.