What are the Key Benefits of Galvanizing?

Hot dip galvanizing has, for many decades, been widely recognised – as well as proven – to be the most effective and reliable way to protect steel from corrosion in a variety of industries and outdoor environments.

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There are numerous benefits to hot dip galvanizing, the most significant of which is its ability to dramatically extend the lifetime of steel products in a range of environments; particularly important since an estimated 4% of the world’s GDP is lost each year through corrosion.

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Galvanizing creates an easy-to-clean surface which can give a maintenance-free life and a predictable lifespan of more than 70 years (depending on the environment it is being used in). Galvanizing’s ability to prolong a product’s lifetime make it highly cost-effective, since little or no maintenance is required – giving hot dip galvanizing the lowest overall cost compared to other protective steel coatings.

Sustainability is also a key focus for the galvanizing industry, specifically in terms of recyclability. Hot dip galvanizing produces minimal waste, as any excess zinc will remain in the zinc bath and subsequently be re-used. This is made possible through the non-ferrous properties of the zinc itself which enable it to be reused again and again without any loss of its physical or chemical constitution.

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Aesthetically, galvanized steel features a bright, shiny finish which is easily cleaned and looks good for many decades. This striking effect – combined with the growing availability of successful painting methods for galvanized steel - is increasingly sought-after by contractors and specifiers for the greater element of design freedom it offers.

Additionally, because hot dip galvanizing takes place after a product has already been fabricated, the steel is coated with a tough and abrasion-resistant zinc coating both externally and internally. The hot dip process produces a coating which is bonded metallurgically to the steel. No other coating process has this feature and, as a result, galvanized steel has by far the greatest resistance to mechanical damage during handling, storage, transport and construction. This means the steel product arrives on site ready for immediate use. No further site surface preparation, painting, touch up or inspection is necessary, and installation can begin immediately – thus accelerating the construction time.

For more information, visit www.wedge-galv.co.uk