FOCUS ON SURFACE FINISHING
“ The benefits of hot-dip galvanizing , for protecting and preserving steel , are chronicled here .”
By
Andy Harrison ,
Sales and Marketing Director , Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd .
A hot-dip galvanized finish for a bespoke eagle sculpture ( 5mm mild steel plates ) outside the Nevis Range Ski Centre hotel in Scotland .
A SHIELD FOR STEEL
Dating back to the mid- 1700s , the process of galvanizing has evolved over the years to become a sustainable , durable , hygienic , long-lasting and economic finish .
Wedge Group Galvanizing provided its hot-dip molten zinc finish to parts of the steelwork of the award-winning , cube-shaped Cody Dock Rolling Bridge in East London . Image : Jim Stephenson .
Andy Harrison , Sales and Marketing Director , Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd .
With up to four per cent of the world ’ s GDP estimated to be lost through corrosion each year , it is unsurprising that the entire lifecycle of steel is a huge factor for decision-makers in many industries .
In a bid to avoid rust- and corrosionimpacting projects , hot-dip galvanizing is one of the most popular finishes for protecting and preserving steel ( everything from large-scale infrastructure components through to small and intricate nuts and bolts ). Dating back to the mid-1700s , the process of galvanizing has evolved over the years to become a sustainable , durable , hygienic , long-lasting and economic finish .
To protect steel items from rust and corrosion , hot-dip galvanizing is often used by many across the engineering , rail and architecture industries ( to name just a few ). Objects are chemically cleaned to remove any existing surface rust , oil or mill scale , before being completely immersed into a bath of molten zinc at temperatures of around 450 ° C . The steel is entirely coated ( inside and out , in awkward corners and narrow gaps , and even in the hardest-to-reach areas ) before being left to cool , allowing a metallurgic-bonded coating to form .
Why galvanize ?
This unique bonding brings an array of benefits . Galvanized steel can withstand harsh conditions for decades , without any maintenance required . It provides a tough and durable finish which boasts high resistance to mechanical damage ( a vital factor during transport , storage and installation ).
Galvanizing offers long-lasting protection ; more than 70 years maintenance-free . This allows the overall lifecycle costs to remain low , as it significantly saves time and labourintensive resources as well as limiting the need for downtime or replacement . This is particularly attractive for companies seeking economic benefits during the current cost-ofliving crisis .
Galvanizing also provides a tough , durable , and permanent finish that , should it ever be required , can only be removed by professionals using abrasive blasting or specialist chemicals .
46 | ismr . net | ISMR May 2024