Advantages and Disadvantages of Galvanized Steel

    Advantages and Disadvantages of Galvanized Steel
    Galvanized steel sheet is a composite material formed by covering the surface of the steel sheet with a layer of zinc through a hot-dip galvanizing process. Its advantages and disadvantages are as follows:
    Advantage:
    Anti-corrosion performance: Galvanized steel plate has good anti-corrosion performance, which can prevent the steel surface from being oxidized and corroded, thereby improving its service life and economic benefits. Especially in the case of long-term open-air storage and use, its anti-corrosion effect is more obvious.
    Durability: Galvanized steel plates have higher strength and hardness than ordinary steel plates, and can meet higher technical requirements and usage needs. In addition, the hot-dip galvanizing process can not only improve the corrosion resistance of the steel plate, but also increase its hardness and wear resistance, so it is suitable for some special industries and production fields.
    Energy saving and environmental protection: Compared with traditional anti-corrosion methods, the hot-dip galvanizing process of galvanized steel plates can better protect the steel surface and extend the service life of the steel plates, thus reducing the waste of resources and environmental pollution.
    Good decorative properties: The galvanized steel plate has a smooth surface and good gloss, and can be subjected to a variety of surface treatments, such as spraying, baking, etc., making the product highly decorative.
    Easy to process: Galvanized steel plate has good processing performance and can be used for various processing operations such as shearing, bending, drilling, etc., making it convenient for users to meet various processing needs.
    Disadvantages:
    High cost: The manufacturing cost of galvanized steel sheets is relatively high, resulting in a relatively high market price, which limits its application scope.
    Heavy weight: Galvanized steel panels are heavier than some other building materials, which brings certain difficulties to transportation and installation.
    Easy to scratch: The surface of galvanized steel plate is smooth and easy to scratch. Once scratched, its appearance and anti-corrosion performance will be affected.
    High environmental requirements: Galvanized steel sheets have certain environmental requirements. If they are stored and handled improperly, white rust will appear on the surface. At the same time, attention should be paid to protecting the welding area during welding to avoid damaging the galvanized layer and affecting the anti-corrosion performance.
    To sum up, galvanized steel sheets have the advantages of good anti-corrosion, durability, energy saving and environmental protection, but they also have disadvantages such as high cost, heavy weight and easy scratching. In the application, selection and processing need to be carried out according to the specific situation.

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Galvanised steel is a popular choice in industrial, agricultural, and construction projects. The main purpose of galvanisation is to protect the steel from corrosion, and this is achieved by applying a thin layer of zinc, either through a process of 'hot dip' galvanising, electro-galvanising, or metal spraying.

There are a lot of reasons why you should choose galvanised steel for your engineering project. And there are a few more reasons why you shouldn't. Now knowing what galvanised steel sheet properties are, we have highlighted the key benefits and drawbacks that will guide you to making the right choice for your project.

THE PROS OF USING GALVANISED STEEL SHEETS

Durability and longevity

TFM ' or Time to First Maintenance ' is calculated according to the appearance of rust on five percent of the galvanised steel sheet surface. What this means is that five percent of the zinc coating has now eroded, exposing the steel to corrosion. It is at this stage that maintenance needs to be implemented to protect the integrity of the steel and prolong its durability.

TFM varies according to the atmospheric conditions of the structure. For example, in a dry, rural area with little rainfall and pollution, a TFM could be over 100 years, while in a more humid tropical environment, that TFM might reduce to about 70 years.

By hot-dip galvanising a thin 6mm steel sheet, you are creating a zinc coating of 85 microns, which more than meets the corrosion performance required for many applications across the UK.

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Smooth finish, rust-free, and lowered maintenance costs

A sheet of galvanised steel is smooth to the touch, making it easy to inspect. Being tough and durable, it is resistant to scratches and everyday damage. Any damage tends to occur through mishandling and untreated long-term wear and tear. Due to its smooth surface, should the galvanised steel sheet incur any damage, the integrity of the protection is compromised, making it prone to rusting. Fortunately, this makes it easily noticeable on regular inspection and therefore can be treated quickly and effectively. When it is damaged, it is the zinc that is in the first line of fire. That means that the steel underneath is protected and will only be affected if the blemish is left untreated.

Protection from contamination

The galvanisation process acts as a protective buffer against oxygen and moisture, resulting in a smooth, rust-free layer. As a result, the steel sheets are perfect for use in projects which require a clean, clinical environment, such as operating rooms and food preparation areas.

THE CONS OF USING GALVANISED STEEL SHEETS

Comparison of steel prices

Galvanised steel sheet prices may be prohibitive, particularly in large-scale projects. Compared with, for example, cold-rolled steel sheet, galvanised steel is considerably more expensive.

When pricing up a project, you need to consider its durability of the project. For a short-term project, which may be demolished in a short period of time, it would be more economical to use a less durable, but better-priced, alternative. However, for long-term structural projects, the additional costs will more than pay for themselves in terms of longevity and reduction in maintenance over the years. Cheaper is never normally better.

Beware of white rust

The galvanisation process ensures that the steel sheet remains resistant to rust. However, you need to be aware of the presence of white rust, which can develop over time if the steel is exposed to moisture and not maintained.

White rust is a white chalky substance that can form on the surface of zinc due to moisture. It can cause significant damage to the galvanised coating and can ultimately compromise the durability of the zinc coating.

Otherwise known as zinc hydroxide, this white rust must be treated immediately to prevent it from spreading and reversing the effect of the galvanisation process as a whole. But prevention is better than cure, so ensure the following steps are taken to minimise the risk of white rust in the first place.

• Make sure the galvanised steel sheets are packed in a dry, moisture-free environment.
• Ensure that there is good air circulation between sheets.
• Store the sheets at a slight angle to ensure that any water or moisture can be drained away and not sit stagnant on the surface of the steel sheets.
• Make sure the surface of the zinc coating is treated with a barrier or water repellent coating to minimise any contact between water and the galvanised surface of the steel sheet.

If your galvanised steel sheet has developed a white rust coating, then it can be treated. The treatment depends on the severity of the damage to date. If there is a light powdery residue, then it can usually be brushed off with no residual treatment required. However, the more established and severe the zinc oxidisation process, the more remedial treatment is required to ensure it does not compromise the long-term integrity of the galvanised coating.

There are more pros than cons to choosing galvanised steel sheets over alternatives for your construction and infrastructure projects. However, due care and attention need to be paid to the way the steel is stored, handled, and maintained if you are to get optimum return on your investment in the product.

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