Galvanizing

Hot Galvanizing – the process

The number one goal of the hot dip galvanized is to cover steel with a layer of zinc to protect against corrosion. Zinc oxidation is slow compared to steel. Steel is immersed in a hot molten zinc bath. The time of immersion depends on the volume of the part and it must be sufficient to provide the required thickness of protection, which means until the end of the evolution (time for the article to reach the same temperature as the zinc, roughly 450 C). This time generally varies between 3 and 10 minutes and may exceed 15 minutes for massive parts or special shapes. The structure and appearance of the coating thickness will also depend on the steel composition. Before immersing in the molten zinc bath, the parts require a surface preparation based on well-defined steps. Generally, there are three (3) surface preparation steps which are degreasing, stripping and fluxing. These steps will have a direct impact on the reaction between liquid zinc and steel, and will reflect on the performance of the zinc. All these processes have a significant impact on the desired galvanic quality. As you can see in the above photo, the structure went through 8 steps, from the degreasing to the galvanizing. See what a part looks like during its dipping!

The zinc bath is extremely hot. To ensure a zinc quality control, sophisticated equipment ensures the maintenance of a constant temperature of 450 C. The advantage of the galvanizing in hot zinc is when the freshly clean steel is immersed in a 450 C (840 F) of molten zinc bath, metallurgical bonding of zinc occurs, and these layers are then covered by pure zinc. The first of these two alloys with steel is harder than the base metal. This gives the hot galvanized its excellent abrasion resistance property. While the smooth, pure zinc outer layer absorbs shock, the underlying alloys layers provide effective protection on the base metal. The coating life is predictable providing that climatic conditions to which the coating is subject to are known. In addition, the galvanizing protects the steel and its welds. In the long term, the structure will keep its strength and its original capacity. So the life of the structure is thereby increased by several years!

Also, galvanised steel is a responsible choice.

The raw material is preserved, not corroded steel and helps the steps in recycling scrap metal; with the hot galvanizing maintenance costs are almost non-existent and it is superior to painting! Without successive layers of protection, the paint is compromised in the slightest breach... whereas galvanizing contributes to maintaining the structural integrity of steel and constitutes a significant economy for taxpayers. There is very little metal reintroduced in the environment and when recycling takes place, the energy required to process the zinc is inversely proportional to the quantity of zinc recycled. Why did we choose galvanization? We believe strongly that with this new process, we can provide a higher quality trailer. Those who know us know that our primary objective is to manufacture a product better than what is currently on the market. We believe that this will give a competitive advantage to our products and this will be very beneficial for us all, because being a Canadian manufacturer, we know our climate.