How to Choose Between Zinc Plated and Galvanised Steel
06 January 2022
If you work in the metal industry or regularly request steel fabrication for construction projects, you’ve probably heard the terms “zinc plating” and “galvanising” before. It can be confusing to understand where they differ because both refer to processes involving zinc being coated onto metals, yet the end products are different.
Before you go online to look for steel fabrication companies that can supply mild steel beams, angle bars or columns, it’s crucial that you know the difference between these types of galvanisation. The overall success of your project could rely on you choosing the most suitable galvanisation method. To do so, continue reading this blog post from Buy A Beam, which will hopefully make it easier to place an order for metal fabrication through the Buy A Beam online store.
Galvanised Steel
One of the most popular ways of protecting steel products from the corrosion caused by water and other substances, galvanisation is the process of applying a protective coating of zinc to steel. Typically done using hot-dip galvanising, which involves dipping the steel product in a bath of molten zinc heated to around 460°C. This process dramatically reduces the possibility of the steel beginning to rust or corrode.
Galvanised Steel Uses
Hot-dip galvanised steel has a market-leading level of corrosion resistance, making it perfect to use for outdoor items such as fences, roofs and other structures. Galvanised steel is mainly known for its usage in the construction industry. Its resistance to rust means that it’s not affected by being exposed to unpredictable British weather conditions, whilst still offering the excellent strength-to-weight ratio associated with fabricated steel.
If you’d like to take advantage of the various benefits that come with using galvanised steel for your next project, click the button below to get in contact with local steel fabricators and order steel online.
Zinc Plated Steel
Otherwise known as electro-galvanising, zinc plating uses a current of electricity to apply zinc to a steel product. Zinc plating still provides a decent level of corrosion protection but is usually chosen over galvanisation when a project’s budget is a concern, as it’s notably cheaper to complete and is easier to weld.
Zinc Plated Steel Uses
Electro-galvanising is usually used to treat steel items that will be used in interior settings or locations that possess only mildly-corrosive conditions. Products that you would expect to be protected from rust using this method include:
- Screws;
- Springs;
- Handles.
Deciding Between Zinc Plated and Galvanised Steel
The one significant similarity between zinc plated steel and galvanised steel is that both have a coating of zinc that helps to protect against corrosion. If that’s your main priority, choosing galvanised structural steel is a no-brainer. The thick layer of zinc means that it’s tough for rust to take hold in the fabricated item; in comparison, zinc plated steel has a thinner coating, which is more susceptible to corrosion over a long period.
Despite the above point, there are still reasons why it may be best for you to choose zinc plated steel over galvanisation. The main reason would be to reduce the costs of your project, as zinc plating is the more cost-effective method and means that it is an attractive option if the fabricated steel only requires minimal protection.
It’s crucial that you ask your chosen steel supplier which galvanisation process will be used to complete your order, as some suppliers don’t specify whether they’re electro-galvanising or using hot-dip galvanisation. The long-term success of your project could depend on the protection against rust that galvanisation can provide.
How To Request Steel Fabrication Online
If you’re looking to order galvanised steel to your site quickly and efficiently, using Buy A Beam’s online shop is the easiest way to do so. To get started, all you need to do is enter your postcode, and you’ll then be able to view products from local steel fabricators before placing your order. If you have any queries about our service, please contact us, and a member of the team will be happy to help.