Duncan Galvanizing Blog

Hot-Dip Galvanizing vs. Metallizing

Posted by Casey Shearns on Tue, Jun 29, 2021 @ 02:26 PM

Hot-dip galvanizing and metallizing are both great and effective ways to protect steel against corrosion. However, they do have some significant differences, and it’s important to know all the details before choosing a method for your project’s corrosion protection. We broke down the differences and the main pros and cons of each so you can make an educated choice.

Galvanizing vs. Metallizing

When metal is hot-dip galvanized, it is brought to a galvanizing plant. Here, the metal is cleaned, prepped, and then it is completely submerged into a kettle of molten zinc to form a uniform layer of corrosion protection by alloying with the steel. Thermal spray zinc, also known as metallizing, is the process of coating steel by transporting molten zinc by a gas stream to a properly prepared substrate. If you use metallizing, the zinc coating is sprayed directly onto the metal. Droplets cool, solidify and build up on the substrate into a laminar structure, forming a coating. Both of these methods have pros and cons.

Pros and Cons

One of the biggest benefits of using hot-dip galvanizing as opposed to metallizing is the ability to apply uniform protection, both on the inside and outside of the steel. The complete submersion process of hot-dip galvanizing allows for corrosion protection both inside and outside of the metal structure. With metallizing, for small diameter tubes, only the outside of the structure can be reached and the application could potentially be uneven, especially in corners. Therefore, hot-dip galvanizing is often the best choice for tubular metals or steel with a complicated shape because of the uniform protection it provides. Also, hot-dip galvanizing has a higher adhesion strength and abrasion resistance thanks to the metallurgical bond it creates between the steel and zinc. However, the somewhat rough surface the process of metallizing creates allows it to have a higher unprocessed slip coefficient, and allows paint to stick better to the surface of unprepared surfaces.  Also, in situations where the steel material is large and thin, metallizing is a ‘cold’ process and can prevent deflection.  A common guideline is to hot-dip galvanize material that does not have deflection concerns and fits into a kettle, and metallize those that don’t.

Another notable difference between the two is the location the process takes place. The hot-dip galvanizing process must take place inside a galvanizing plant, as the metal needs to be dipped in a specialized kettle, drained, and vented. With metallizing, the zinc coating can be applied at any location, with no draining or venting needed. This is a good option if the zinc coating needs to be applied on-site (referred to as field metallizing), or if the piece of metal being is too large to fit into a kettle. However, hot-dip galvanizing in a plant tends to be more economical all around.

Contact Duncan Galvanizing

Duncan Galvanizing is the Northeast’s premier hot-dip galvanizer, offering hot-dip galvanizing, factory applied powder and paint coatings, blasting, specification assistance and more. Contact us today at 617-389-8440 or fill out a contact form on our website.

Tags: Corrosion Protection

Why You Should Request Physical Paint Samples Before Purchase

Posted by Casey Shearns on Tue, Jun 08, 2021 @ 02:43 PM

Online color cards make it easy for a quick preview of the colors offered, but they can create a discrepancy between the color on the monitor and the appearance of the actual paint.

Computer monitors are all color calibrated differently. This makes every shade shown on the color card appear slightly different on different monitors, and different in person. The color card should only be used as a general guide to the types of colors offered. Physical color cards should be used for making a final decision to ensure that your final coating looks the way you intended.  

However, using a digital color card on a computer monitor can be useful for making a selection that doesn’t have to match an existing color or be very specific. If you need a general color and are not concerned about slight variation, you may choose to select a color using the digital card only.

Here are a few physical examples compared to the way a color might appear on your computer screen:

 

“Red Oxide” physical sample next to online sample



“Safety yellow” physical sample next to online sample



Duncan has many physical color cards that are correctly representative of the color you can use to choose as well as an experienced team to assist you. Check out Duncan’s Colorgalv options here.

Contact Duncan Galvanizing

For more information on Colorgalv or assistance picking out the right color for your project, contact us! Give us a call at 617-389-8440 or fill out a contact form.

Tags: Colorgalv, Colorgalv Thermoset

The Science of Corrosion

Posted by Casey Shearns on Fri, May 28, 2021 @ 11:18 AM

Nautical grunge Hull of fishing boat badly in need of restoration

Hot-dip galvanizing is a great way to protect your steel from costly corrosion. But what is corrosion and why does it happen? The more we know about the science of corrosion, the better we can protect your materials against it.

What is Corrosion?

Corrosion is a chemical process that affects metals when they are exposed to elements such as oxygen and water. It causes degradation and eventually destruction to metals such as steel. Metals are rarely found in a pure state, they are usually  found in chemical combinations with other, non-metal elements. These chemical combinations are referred to as ore. When those atoms are exposed to oxygen, the atoms on the surface of metal become oxidized, damaging the surface of the metal by reducing it back to an ore state. This creates unsightly rust and damaged material.

How Does Hot-Dip Galvanizing Help to Prevent Corrosion?

Hot-dip galvanizing allows iron or steel to be coated with a barrier protection of zinc. This protective zinc alloy becomes tightly bonded to the steel, creating a layered protection with a bond strength of around 3,600 psi. In addition to the corrosion protection in any environment, this alloy also provides excellent abrasion resistance that is harder than the steel, protecting it from any damage that might occur during the shipment or construction process It also forms a galvanic cell where the zinc corrodes rather than the iron, as well as other forms of protection

It’s important to understand the science of corrosion to prevent costly and dangerous damage that can result from corroded metals. Additionally, the more we learn how to prevent corrosion, the longer steel products will last and allow it to be more environmentally sustainable. Hot-dip galvanizing the steel used in your project can help protect against the financial and environmental costs of corrosion.

Contact Duncan Galvanizing

Duncan Galvanizing is proud to be one of the Northeast’s premier hot-dip galvanizers. We offer high quality hot-dip galvanizing, Colorgalv (paint over galvanizing), powder coating and more for a beautiful architectural finish. Give us a call today at 617-389-8440 or fill out a contact form on our website.

Can You Powder Coat Hot-Dip Galvanizing?

Posted by Casey Shearns on Mon, May 17, 2021 @ 03:49 PM

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Can you Powder Coat Galvanized Steel?

Powder coatings can be applied over hot-dip galvanizing and are a great way to add a desired look or color to material for your project. There are a number of benefits to using duplex systems on your steel, including both corrosion protection and aesthetic benefits. Read on to learn more about powder coatings over hot-dip galvanized steel.

The Powder Coating Process

First, the material is hot-dip galvanized in our zinc bath. The surface is then prepared by removing any bumps or drips from the steel to ensure smooth application. Next, the surface of the material will be profiled with blasting to create good surface adhesion for the powder coating. The steel is then “out-gassed” around 500 degrees fahrenheit to further provide a smooth and adhesive surface. For maximum adhesion, the material is then primed and baked.  

Powder is typically sprayed on to the material soon after after out-gasing. After application, the material is placed in the curing oven where the powder primer will bond to the galvanized coating.

Benefits of Powder Coatings 

Powder coating adds an extra layer of corrosion and weathering protection to your steel (known as a duplex system). The duplex system also allows for less maintenance over time, saving money on the project over time. Additionally, power coatings come in a number of different colors and finishes, allowing you to customize steel for your specific needs.

Duncan’s Powder Coating Options

Duncan Galvanizing offers a number of powder coating options for your project, including Duncan Thermoset, Thermoset Plus, Thermoset 10 and Thermoset 10 Plus. Each powder coating option has different formulations and lengths of guaranteed gloss and color retentions. Visit our specifications page to learn more about our options and download powder coating specs.

Contact Duncan Galvanizing

Duncan Galvanizing is proud to be one of the Northeast’s trusted hot-dip galvanizers. We offer blasting, hot-dip galvanizing, duplex coatings and more. Give us a call today at 617-389-8440 or fill out a contact form on our website.

Tags: Colorgalv, Colorgalv Thermoset

Why Do I Need Vent Holes?

Posted by Casey Shearns on Mon, May 10, 2021 @ 04:07 PM

If you’ve sent metal to be galvanized, Duncan or other galvanizers may have asked you to include specific vent holes in the piece. For successful batch hot-dip galvanizing, cleaning solutions and molten zinc must flow without undue resistance into, over, through, and out of the fabricated article. Our team broke down why these vent holes are necessary:

Safety of Personnel and Your Material

Without vent holes, the pressure built from the heat of the kettles can cause steel to explode in the zinc kettle, and seriously injure personnel, while destroying your material. For everyone’s safety in the plant, and for the safety of your material, we request adding vent holes to your steel before you send it for galvanizing.

Even Coating of Zinc

Vent holes also help the steel to be coated evenly throughout the inside and outside of the steel. Hot-dip galvanizing is the only process that protects both the inside and outside of tubular steel structures, and proper vent holes help this process to be effective. Lack of vent holes can cause the steel to have bare spots, uneven texture, and other zinc coating problems, so it’s important to ensure holes are placed properly so steel can be evenly coated. Even if the drain hole is only an inch away from its ideal location, that inch can create an air pocket, resulting in an uncoated area, which can result in rust staining even in the coated regions. An even coating of zinc helps with your steel’s corrosion protection and aesthetics and prevents unsightly zinc build up.

Complete Immersion

Appropriately placed and sized vent holes prevent the steel from floating in the zinc bath. Full immersion of the zinc is essential to the quality hot-dip galvanizing. The size and placement of these vent holes are different depending on the steel being galvanized, so check with the galvanizer where these holes are necessary to ensure the steel can be fully immersed in the zinc bath.

Contact Duncan Galvanizing

Duncan Galvanizing is proud to be the Northeast’s trusted provider of hot-dip galvanizing, Colorgalv (paint over galvanizing), and more. Give us a call today at 617-389 8440 or fill out a contact form on our website.

Tags: Hot Dip Galvanizing

Environmental Advantages of Hot Dip Galvanizing

Posted by Casey Shearns on Tue, Apr 20, 2021 @ 04:08 PM

 

Go Green wooden sign with a forest background

One of the benefits of hot-dip galvanizing is that it is a very ‘green’ product. If your project is looking to lessen its environmental impacts by reducing waste, harmful emissions, and other adverse environmental effects, hot-dip galvanizing is a great corrosion protection option. Here are a few of the environmental benefits of hot-dip galvanizing:

Recyclable & Infinitely Renewable

Zinc and steel are both recyclable, meaning even at the end-of-life of a structure or product, the zinc can be reused for other purposes, reducing the amount of waste hot-dip galvanizing produces. In fact, 30% of the world’s zinc has been recycled, and steel is the most recycled resource in the world. Therefore, at the end of your project’s life, the galvanized steel can almost always be recycled and reused. This dramatically decreases the amount of waste that your project will produce.

Additionally, zinc is an infinitely renewable resource. Zinc can be recycled without losing any of its critical chemical or physical properties. Both zinc and steel can be reused many times without losing their structural integrity. However, the longevity of hot-dip galvanized steel allows for the product to have a long life before it ever needs to be recycled.

Zinc is Natural and Abundant

Zinc, which composes about 98% of hot-dip galvanizing, is a resource that can be found naturally in many elements of the earth, including water, soil, and even the earth’s crust. Zinc is also essential to life on earth, and is a necessary mineral for almost every organism on earth to live. Because zinc is already abundant in the environment naturally, the use of hot-dip galvanizing does not introduce disruptive or harmful elements into the environment like other corrosion protection methods.

Life Cycle Cost Assessment & Additional Benefits

A products’ life-cycle cost assessment is a measurement of its impact on the environment throughout its entire life, from production to end-of-life. The LCA conducted using a wide variety of data over time for hot-dip galvanized steel found many additional environmental benefits. For example, all material inputs and emissions outputs are isolated to the production phase, most hot-dip galvanized structures require little to no maintenance throughout the project's life, and it does not use any additional materials after the initial production and installation.

The official life cycle cost assessment of hot-dip galvanized steel can be found here.

Contact Duncan Galvanizing

Duncan Galvanizing is the Northeast’s trusted provider of hot-dip galvanized steel, color galvanizing (factory-applied painting or powder coating over galvanized steel), and more. Contact us today at (617) 389-8440 or fill out an online contact form and we will reach out to you.

Why Specify Duplex Coatings?

Posted by Casey Shearns on Fri, Apr 09, 2021 @ 10:45 AM

 

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Duplex coatings are a great way to add reliable and long-lasting corrosion protection to your steel, as well as improve its aesthetics. We broke down the facts about duplex coatings, and a few reasons to specify Duncan’s duplex coating system on your next project:

What is a Duplex Coating System?

A duplex coating system is the use of two coating systems - hot dip galvanizing and either a liquid or powder coating over the galvanized steel. The combination of these two processes  provide excellent protection against corrosion, and far better protection than using just one alone. This allows for less maintenance over time, a more polished appearance, and other benefits.

Benefits of Duplex Coating

  • Synergistic Effect

Duplex coatings provide enhanced protection for steel. When hot-dip galvanized steel is topcoated with paint or powder, this duplex system provides a more enhanced level of corrosion protection known as the synergistic effect. Paint or powder coating provides a protective barrier for hot dip galvanizing, as the exterior layer slows down corrosion from reaching the underlying zinc. If the exterior layer is worn down, the zinc from the hot dip galvanizing still provides excellent corrosion protection. This combined system is more than the sum of their parts. Both parts extend life of each other, they do much better and last much longer than if they were isolated. Additionally, the hot dip galvanizing primer virtually eliminates underfilm corrosion and paint peeling. It also extends the maintenance cycle of black steel by up to 2x. Duncan Duplex Coating Systems offer a 20 year warranty against corrosion, so your project will be protected against corrosion for decades to come.

  • Aesthetics

Duplex coatings  are also great for the aesthetics of your projects. Sometimes, the silver finish of hot dip galvanizing alone is not appropriate for certain projects. Duplex Coatings allow for a number of different finishes on steel to achieve your desired appearance. Duncan’s Colorgalv allows steel to be finished with a wide variety of colors. Some projects may require a vibrant color for safety reasons, need to blend in with surroundings, or other have other specific aesthetic needs. Duplex coatings  use paint or powder to make this possible.

  • Economic Benefits

There are also economic benefits when duplex coatings are specified. When a duplex coating is used, galvanized steel will often stay in good shape for decades until maintenance is needed. The less maintenance required, the less money that needs to be spent on the project after completion. Because of the synergistic effect dramatically increasing the time before maintenance, the initial cost pays off over the life of the project and ends up costing far less than coating bare steel.

 

LITTLE KNOWN FACTOID:

Did you know that Duncan Galvanizing was the first galvanizer in the country to do Hot Dip Galvanizing and factory applied coatings when it introduced Colorgalv in the mid-1970’s?

Contact Duncan Galvanizing

For high-quality duplex coating systems, hot dip galvanizing, color galvanizing, and more, Contact Duncan Galvanizing at (617) 389-8440 or fill out an online form to get started.

Tags: Colorgalv, Hot Dip Galvanizing

The Importance of Galvanizing Steel

Posted by Casey Shearns on Fri, Mar 26, 2021 @ 03:32 PM

 

buildingsteelstructure

Utilizing a protective coating such as hot-dip galvanizing is incredibly important to protect steel against damage from corrosion and other sources. Damage to steel can cause impactful financial, aesthetic, and safety failures, so it’s crucial to specify a protective coating such as hot dip galvanizing if steel is being used. Important benefits of galvanizing include:  

Prevents Structural Failures

Structural failures due to corroded steel can be devastating. They can cause serious injuries, loss of life, public outcry, and overwhelming financial damage. Hot dip galvanizing offers outstanding steel corrosion protection that preserves the structural integrity and can help to ensure your steel stays safe for use for years to come. The tightly-bonded, abrasion resistant inter metallic layers provide an unmatched protection from corrosion.

Prevents Aesthetic Failures

Aesthetic failures, although not physically dangerous, can be damaging to the reputation of your business. A project with damage and corrosion can distract from the work put in and the beauty of the architecture, and send the wrong message about the quality of your work. Hot dip galvanizing is a fantastic way to keep your steel looking like-new, decades after project completion. It’s important to use a protective coating that will uphold the desired look of the steel used to prevent any unsightly corrosion, and lost opportunities for future work. Additionally, hot dip galvanizing is able to protect the aesthetics of even the most intricate of steel designs, and can even be used on artistic projects to preserve its original finish.

Saves Time & Money from Corrosion Costs

Corrosion can result in pricey and time-consuming maintenance. In fact, 659 billion dollars of structural damage have occurred in the US alone from corrosion, and can quickly create a financial burden for you. Galvanizing allows for years, sometimes decades before maintenance is required. This extended time without maintenance allows for significant life-cycle cost savings. Oftentimes, the initial cost is the life cycle cost, making galvanizing a great investment.

Additionally, the additional resources needed for extra maintenance can derail your environmental sustainability efforts. Quality protective coating can eliminate the need for the use of excess natural resources due to the need for constant maintenance.

Protection From Vandalism

Vandalism and graffiti can be costly if it cannot be easily removed from steel. Some finishes offer graffiti protection to ensure that your investment will not be permanently damaged by vandalism. This is particularly important to consider if you are building a structure in a high traffic area, such as public transportation. A finish with graffiti protection may be a good choice if your team is concerned about vandalism. If you utilize one of Duncan Colorgalv Plus coatings, you will have long lasting anti-graffiti protection.

Contact Duncan Galvanizing - Hot Dip Galvanizing in Everett, MA

Duncan Galvanizing is the Northeast’s trusted provider of hot-dip galvanizing (Duragalv), color galvanizing (Colorgalv) and more. Contact us today at (617) 389-8440 to get started or request a quote.

Tags: Corrosion Protection

Why Specify Galvanizing?

Posted by Casey Shearns on Tue, Mar 09, 2021 @ 04:46 PM

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Steel corrosion can be costly, dangerous, and unsightly.  It’s important to make sure the steel used in your project is utilizing an effective method for protection against corrosion, abrasion, and weather conditions. Hot dip galvanizing is the process of factory dipping of fabricated steel into a kettle of molten zinc with the goal of preventing this corrosion, and creating a steel product that stays structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing for years to come. Hot dip galvanizing is often the preferred method of corrosion protection for steel for a number of its unique benefits, including:

Durability & Corrosion Protection

First, hot dip galvanizing is a great investment because of its durability and protection from even the harshest environments. This protective zinc alloy becomes tightly bonded to the steel, creating a layered protection with a bond strength of around 3,600 psi. In addition to the corrosion protection in any environment, this alloy also provides excellent abrasion resistance that is harder than the steel, protecting it from any damage that might occur during the shipment or construction process. 

Additionally, hot dip galvanizing is the ONLY system that protects the steel on the inside and the outside. Ensuring that the inside of fabricated steel is galvanized can be crucial to the integrity and life of the steel.  Also, because the steel is completely submerged in our zinc bath, there is a uniform protection on the entirety of the fabricated steel, while other methods such as liquid coatings often cause the protective coating along the edges to be thinner. Utilizing hot dip galvanizing is the only process that ensures this complete and uniform protection for steel.

Cost

Hot dip galvanizing also has several cost benefits. The overall material and application generally costs less than other corrosion protection methods. It also can be completed in less time due to the factory immersion process, saving construction time costs as well.

It also has lifetime cost benefits, as hot dip galvanized steel requires much less maintenance over time. In this chart, you can see the impressive amount of time hot dip galvanizing protects the steel from corrosion before first maintenance is required. 

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Sustainability

Both zinc and steel are 100% recyclable, making hot dip galvanizing a very ‘green’ process. Zinc is natural, abundant, and essential to life. Therefore, the use of steel is not introducing any harmful substances into the environment. Zinc and steel can also be recycled to be used many times over in different projects, so even at the end of a building or structure’s life, that material can be used again. In fact, 30% of the world’s zinc supply is recycled. This way, you can ensure that the materials used will not create waste. Hot dip galvanizing also uses less natural resources and creates less harmful emissions into the atmosphere, contributing to the overall environmental friendliness of your construction job.

Availability & Versatility

Hot dip galvanized steel is both readily available and accessible, as well as versatile for a variety of projects. Steel of many different shapes and sizes can be galvanized. Because of the total immersion in the zinc bath, even intricate shapes can be fully galvanized and protected from corrosion. This makes hot dip galvanizing a great choice for steel components that have a unique or complicated shape.

Additionally, because galvanizing occurs factory in a controlled environment, the process can be completed in any weather conditions, while other processes can’t. This allows construction projects to move quicker when the galvanizing can be completed any day, any time of year. The average turnaround time for hot dip galvanized steel ready for use is about 3-5 days, quicker than many other processes.

Contact Duncan Galvanizing

Duncan Galvanizing is the Northeast’s trusted provider of hot dip galvanizing, color galvanizing, and more. Contact Howie Levine for help with specifications or Seth Dubinsky to request a quote at (617) 389-8440 or fill out an online form to get started. 

Tags: Corrosion Protection, Hot Dip Galvanizing, Duncan Galvanizing

SPECIFICATION OPTIONS FOR HOT-DIP-GALVANIZING AND DUPLEX COATINGS

Posted by Howard Levine on Thu, Jul 19, 2018 @ 09:41 AM

 

specification image

WHEN IT COMES TO SPECIFICATIONS, YOU HAVE A CHOICE!!

In order to provide a level of quality in a project's construction documents, there are four different approaches to specifications that an architect or designer can choose from:

PROPRIETARY SPECIFICATION:

A closed proprietary specification that describes a product, process, or manufacturer by name. It is used when the design professional has determined that what is being specified is the best choice for the project and that no substitution is permitted.

BASIS OF DESIGN SPECIFICATION:

A prescriptive specification where products are identified by listing the manufacturer's name, process or product name, and a description of product composition. It sets the "level of quality bar" yet allows others to submit if they meet the specified criteria.

 PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION:

A specification that defines the desired functional outcome. It contains performance criteria required for products, processes, or methods in the contract document. This method does not describe the design characteristics and manufacturing methodology found in the Basis of Design specification.

"OR EQUAL" SPECIFICATION:

An open proprietary specification that lists the product, process, or manufacturer(s) followed by the term "or equal". It does not limit to specific supplier or product.

 What is an "equal"?

The Encarta Dictionary defines equal as "identical in size, quantity, value, or standard".

This definition is particularly important to those in the A/E/C community charged with determining what products, processes, or methods are used in construction projects.

 When the "or equal" spec is used, any manufacturer is free to submit their product, process or method in the belief that it is equal to what is specified or hope that the decision maker will be too busy to take the time to research the submittal and it will be accepted. A good example of this is the comparison of a process or product with the "or equal" spec.

 Here are just a few of the issues to be considered when reviewing an "or equal" submittal:

                 • Will the product or process meet ALL the criteria set forth in the specification?
                 • Are environmentally appropriate materials used?
                 • Will it help attain LEED certification?
                 • Does it offer the same warranty as that which was specified?
                 • Will the manufacturer or processor take sole source responsibility if there is a failure?

The bottom line is:

 WHEN IT COMES TO SPECIFICATIONS, YOU HAVE A CHOICE!!

 

Contact Duncan Galvanizing

Duncan Galvanizing is proud to be the Northeast's premier hot dip galvanizer. Give us a call today at 617-389-8440.

 

Tags: Duncan Galvanizing, Engineering Topics