What Is Galvanised Steel?

Galvanised steel has been used in construction for over 150 years. It serves as a fantastic asset across many industries, effectively preventing corrosion. Wondering how galvanised steel might benefit you and your business? Keep reading for our helpful information on this quality product.

Galvanisation involves applying a coat of zinc to steel or iron to provide protection and prevent rust. Galvanised steel is one of the most popular types of steel due to its durability. Not only does it carry the strength of steel, but it also comes with the extra protection offered by the zinc-iron coating. Zinc acts as a barrier against corrosive elements, so it will wear away before the steel does, thus protecting your product and ensuring its longevity.

So many industries use galvanised steel, and it's not hard to see why. It carries many benefits, including:

• Low upfront cost: Compared to most treated steels, galvanised steel is more affordable. It also doesn't require extra preparation, like inspections or painting, before it's used, so it will help you cut down on expenses.
• Long-lasting: Galvanised steel can last more than 50 years in typical conditions, and over 20 years if exposed to a lot of water.
• Low-maintenance: The durability offered by the zinc coating makes galvanised steel a more reliable product.
• Added protection: With its outer layer of zinc, galvanised steel is afforded superior protection. Even if your steel has become completely exposed, you can rest assured the zinc will continue to corrode first, keeping your steel in quality condition.
• Resistance to rust: Steel is notoriously prone to rust, and with the outer layer of zinc galvanised steel is better protected against water, moisture and air.

To galvanise steel, it must first be cleaned in a solution designed to remove grease and dirt. If there is any dirt or debris on the steel, it will prevent the zinc from adhering properly.

Once it's clean, the steel is dipped into a vat of hot sulfuric acid, which has been diluted. This step is called pickling, and it's designed to remove rust from the surface of the steel.

After this, the steel is fluxed, usually with a solution of zinc-ammonium chloride. Fluxing removes any remaining oxides and provides a protective coating on the steel.

The steel is now ready to be galvanised by being immersed in molten zinc. The hot zinc reacts with iron to create a layer on the steel, providing durability and protection.

After the steel has cooled and dried, it's then checked for any impurities in the coating. The thickness of the zinc coating and its quality is assessed, and the steel's put through several tests to ensure the zinc has properly adhered and is strong enough to maintain the quality of the product. Only after our galvanised steel has passed these tests is it ready to be delivered to our valued clients.

Need galvanised steel for your next project? Call Metal Mates today. With our years of experience, we provide the best quality steel products to our valued clients throughout Cessnock and even across the country. We stock a great range of products from leading brands, so you're guaranteed to find what you need for your job. We pride ourselves on the quality of our customer service, the high standard of our workmanship and stock, and our competitive prices. Contact us today on 1800 304 304 to learn more or to arrange a quote.