Why Use Hot Dip Galvanizing?
The Strongest Rust Prevention
Once a paint coating has become broken, either cracked or chipped, the protection is compromised.
Rust is the enemy of steel.
Although there are many ways to protect steel from rust, hot dip galvanizing is the strongest, longest lasting, and lowest lifetime cost option. Paint and powder coating require maintenance over the steel's lifetime. And once the paint coating has become broken, either cracked or chipped, the protection is compromised.
Hot dip galvanizing forms a new layer, impregnated in the steel, to guard against rust. It is not a coating, it is a metallurgical bond to the steel. In addition to needing little to no lifetime maintenance, zinc can continue to protect steel even if a portion were compromised. Zinc is a "sacrificial" element which will "guard" the exposed area.
Superior Performance, Lower Lifetime Cost
Galvanized coatings actually become stronger during the weathering process. Exposure to natural weather patterns causes the zinc coating to develop a zinc carbonate layer, which is extremely strong, and weather resistant. This usually appears as a dull, flat grey color.
Zinc provides cathodic protection, meaning it will oxidize before steel, "sacrificing" itself for the steel protection. Because of this galvanizing can still offer corrosion protection even if the galvanized layer were to become compromised.
Most galvanized pieces require little to no lifetime maintenance, greatly reducing the lifecycle cost and extending the total project lifetime exponentially.
Zinc and Steel are almost 100% recoverable at the end of use, meaning it can be recovered and recycled.
Zinc forms a new layer, impregnated in the steel, to guard against rust.
It is not a coating, it is a metallurgical bond to the steel.
Galvanized Coating Diagram: