There are many who are not aware of the difference between galvanized and hot dip galvanized metal. Both the terms almost sound the same. For galvanizing, there are present numerous standards. Browsing on the web can help to find some fabulous references and for this, the search needs to be C90 or G60.
People might use the term electrogalvanized for hot dip galvanized metal, even if the article is about electroplated with zinc only. It is from there that some might assume that shortening it to galvanize is legitimate. There are many manufacturers offering zinc electroplated finishes that are less corrosion resistant and thinner than galvanized. But still these are called galvanized!
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What is the difference? Hot Dip Galvanized Metal and Galvanized Metal
There does exist a sharp difference between hot dipped galvanized metal and galvanized objects like nails. The new standard that is being used for the pressure treated lumber, according to ACQ states, chemicals which are used in ACQ are likely to corrode the ordinary galvanized fasteners. Hence, special consideration is an absolute must when using ACQ lumber. ACQ is to be used with stainless steel or hot dipped fasteners. Electro-galvanized is a phrase which many may have come across.
Words such as galvanized could be imprecise expect for any specific context. Professionals are likely to state galvanized to exactly mean hot dip galvanized instead of zinc electroplated (electro galvanized). The latter is a term which is never used by the professionals.
Electro-galvanized
According to many professionals, this term is not required to be used, since, it means the same thing like that of zinc electroplated. It is regarded to be a term that has been used, accepted and understood universally for ages. It is even stated that probably electro-galvanized, the term is probably coined by any salesman. This is perhaps to help the company that has been offering less durable and far less expensive zinc electroplating to sail smoothly and pass on the products as superior quality ones.
Some examples
It could be that during construction of a hospital building, the outlet boxes present in the wall need to be sheradized or hot dipped galvanized. The boxes are stated to be zinc plated galvanized manufactured. Is there a need to get the boxes to be hot dipped or simply have the architect convinced they are quite fabulous just the way it seems to be. Since the building is to be a hospital, where there is expected to be used crucial life support equipment, the architect is sure to be concerned about the zinc whiskers. It is regarded to be a stress phenomenon, where the zinc electroplated surfaces can be a definitive subject and the galvanized surfaces have been believed to be quite less.
The hot dipped galvanized metal specifications may appear on the electrical materials due to outdated specifications. Manufacturers are forced by clean air regulations to adopt the new processes, while construction specifications are not noticed to keep up with such requirements.
Moreover, hot dip galvanizing is known to change thread dimensions. However, it is quite common for cutting threads and allows dimensional change.
For more information on hot dipped galvanized metals increase the life of a the metal click here.
There is always a common misconception that any zinc coating can be termed as hot dipped galvanization but this is in fact not the case as pre-galvanizing is also a popular method to make galvanized steel. So what are the differences between them and which one possesses more advantages? Lets find out below.
First of all, we need to know how to define the 02 most popular methods to make galvanized steel: hot-dip galvanization & pre-galvanizing.
Hot dipped galvanization is a process where the metal is dipped into a molten pool of zinc. To make galvanized steel using this method, we need to follow 4 steps: clean the surface, fluxing, hot-dipping & cooling down.
Pre-galvanizing is also known as the mill galvanizing. This process is very close to the hot dipped galvanization but performed at the very first stage of production. It always occurred at the steel mill on the materials that already have a specific shape or before being cut into sizes and processed.
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Pre-galvanizing involves some steps of hot dipped galvanization such as cleaning the surface, dipping into a hot zinc liquid bath combining with the recoiling process.
Hot dipped galvanization is an economical choice if you are finding a solution that can be executed on both simple and complex shapes. It is often used on objects that have been fabricated beforehand but yet to be galvanized and the hot-dipped galvanization plays as the last step.
Meanwhile, pre-galvanizing, as its name implies, is performed at the first stage of production. Hence, it mainly occurred at the mills, and the results of the process will be cut into size and fabricated later.
As making a protective coating for the steel and metals in the main object of the galvanizing process, we can not miss out on comparing the coating finish of the 02 methods to make galvanized steel.
Both methods result in a uniform thickness for the coating. However, the hot-dipped galvanization produces a thicker layer of protection than the pre-galvanization does. The minimum average thickness of hot-dip galvanized steel is of 45-85μm while it is between 20 and 30 μm for the pre-galvanized products. \ \
As hot dipped galvanization requires dipping the whole steel/metals into the molten vat of zinc, the galvanized steel coming out from this process has a continuous coating over the surface. Pre-galvanizing is performed at the first stage before the sheets are cut into sizes and pieces so the cut edges are not coated.
The first steps of these 02 processes of making galvanized steel are both cleaning the surface, either mechanically, chemically, or both. Hence, the bond between the base metal (steel) and the protective coating is metallurgical and strong.
Coating formability for these 02 processes is totally different. As pre-galvanizing is performed at the mills, any coating applied on its results can be done without damaging the layer. However, coating formability applied on hot-dip galvanized steel is not advised as it may damage the protective coating of the products.
The hot dipped galvanization forms a typically bright finish for the galvanized steel, though it can be also variable. As for the pre-galvanizing process, it produces a uniform bright finish for the coating.
After the hot-dip galvanizing process, there are 03 alloy layers end up being produced on the base metal. These layers are metallurgically bonded to the steel and become an integral part of the steel itself, which forms a perfect protective coating.
The pre-galvanizing process produces galvanized steel with thinner coating, which makes it a bit prone to corrosion.
The hot-dip galvanizing process protects steel in three main ways, but perhaps the most notable way is by acting as a sacrificial coating for the steel. The zinc in the protective coating plays as an anode for the steel. After experiencing hot-dip galvanization, the protection ability is enhanced as the zinc now becomes an integral part of the steel.
Meanwhile, as the pre-galvanized products have thin coatings and will be cut later to sizes and shapes, the sacrificial protection can be as good as hot-dip galvanized steel.
FeatureHot dipped galvanizationPre-galvanizingCoating thicknessThick coating with minimum average requirements of 45-85μm within BS EN ISO The coating thickness may vary but is typically circa 20μm for sheets and 20-30μm for tubes and wiresCoating continuallyContinuous coating over the whole objectUncoated area at cut edgesCoating bondStrong metallurgical bond with the base steelStrong metallurgical bond with the base steelCoating formabilityForming after hot dipped galvanizing is not advised as it may damage the coatingThin coating may be normally formed without any damangeCoating apprearanceTypically bright but can be variableNormally archieve an uniform brightAbrasion resistanceThicker layer of hard zinc-iron alloy gives a high resistance to abrasionThin alloy layer with reduced resistance to abrasionSacrificial protectionOffer the highest level of sacrificial protectionReduced sacrificial protection due to thin layer coating and at some uncoated areas (cut edges)Experiencing over 20 years of development in international markets and currently possess 03 factories with a production capacity of over 600,000 tons annually, Chinh Dai Steel produces and supplies galvanized steel products that tick all these boxes.
The galvanized steel products of Chinh Dai Steel (such as galvanized rolled steel coils, pipes, purlins and other fabricated products) are made from high-quality imported materials with the zinc coating from Z120 Z275. Our products also meet international standards such as ASTM (A500, A53 & A513) AS / NZ , JIS G, and EN . You can easily check the origins of every product on its own labels with QR codes.
There are several differences between hot-dipped galvanization and pre-galvanizing processes. Knowing these differences will allow us to choose the best suitable method & products for your projects. Of all, it is always necessary to pick out the best galvanized steel products among various choices on the market.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Hot Dip Galvanised Mesh.