Hot dip galvanizing

steelISO 9001ISO 1461

Hot dip galvanizing is a process by which a steel product is zinc coated by immersing it in a molten zinc kettle, obtaining protection against the corrosive action of oxidation. Before being immersed into the molten zinc, the material must be pre-treated; the main phases are degreasing (to remove residual grease and oils from mechanical processing), pickling (to remove scale, calamine and rust) and fluxing (obtained in a solution of salts to crystallize the surface of the product before being immersed in the zinc kettle. The surface preparation of the product is extremely important for the zinc to react with the steel. When the steel product is in the zinc kettle, the ferrous component reacts with the molten zinc forming an extremely adherent alloy that guarantees high corrosion protection. Why hot-dip galvanizing? Any steel product must be protected from corrosion and the efficiency of the protective system is mainly based on its quality and duration. The protection provided by hot-dip galvanizing is much superior to other solutions with zinc (electrolytic galvanizing, zinc-based spray, mechanical coatings, etc.), with a duration, based on the surrounding environment, which lasts several decades. Moreover, the lower initial costs, durability, availability and versatility of zinc, combined with sustainability and aesthetics, distinguish zinc as the ideal solution to protect the steel product. Duration of hot dip galvanizing The UNI EN ISO 1461 standard requires a minimum thickness such as to guarantee a duration of many decades without any maintenance.