Duncan Galvanizing Blog

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

 

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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

Galvanized Steel in Parking Structures

Posted by Howard Levine on Thu, Feb 21, 2013 @ 10:10 AM

 

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Steel is an exceptional building material. It has come into its own as a recognized, aesthetically pleasing part of the built environment. Since parking garages are no longer viewed simply as secondary structures in a project’s master plan, there is a need for a well designed architecturally impressive building. By working together, the entire building team can create work that is cost effective, long lasting, and beautiful.  

Unfortunately, most areas where fabricated steel products are used are subject to hostile atmospheric conditions or direct contact with aggressive chemicals. Deicing salts, vehicle emissions and acid rain are the most common culprits. For the steel to last and do its designed work, it must be protected from this corrosive attack.  

Hot Dip Galvanizing has been protecting steel from corrosion for centuries. Galvanizers understand the problems and have developed creative solutions. The problems of the parking industry are severe, but solutions achieved in other industries have enabled galvanizers to meet the challenge.  

Some of the advantages of hot dip galvanizing in parking structures are:

  • The life expectancy of hot dip galvanized coatings is a proven, measurable factor. As zinc protects steel by sacrificing itself, the life of the coating can be accurately predicted by dividing the existing coating thickness by the average coating loss per year. The longevity calculations are based on empirical data, not theoretical. The result is the life to first rust (not failure). In most cases, the calculated life of most areas exceeds 40 years.

  • Hot dip galvanizing has been extensively used in the industry. Sign supports, landscape components, highway architecture, noise barriers and many other items are currently specified to be galvanized.

  • When galvanized, the galvanizer has sole responsibility for the coating system. As no recoat will be required, the problem of "mixed systems" for maintenance doesn't occur. Maintenance of records for prior coatings is simple ---it was galvanized.

  • The coating adherence and quality are simple to inspect and verify. If the base steel isn't properly cleaned and prepared, it will not coat. Hot dip galvanizing is the only corrosion protection system that guarantees that the steel is perfectly clean before application of the coating. There cannot be a metallurgical bond between the steel and zinc unless the steel is 100% contaminant free.

  • Hot dip galvanizing is the only system available that protects the steel on the inside as well as the outside. This is especially important in the case of tubular materials which cannot be maintained on the interior. Left untreated, the corrosion can rapidly spread from the interior of the tube to the outside ultimately resulting in a structural failure of the component. By coming in contact with moisture, the untreated steel will "bleed" onto the ground, concrete or other appurtenance. Occurring long before a loss of structural integrity, however, will be an aesthetic failure.

  • Galvanizing is a factory process and is not dependent on weather or other external conditions. This allows fabricators and contractors the ability to accurately schedule site deliveries, erection times and eliminate delays.

There is an inherent difference between hot dip galvanizing and other protective coating systems.  Basically, steel is protected from corrosion through either barrier or cathodic methods. Barrier protection occurs when the protective mechanism acts to prevent the steel from coming into contact with the contaminant. How well it does its job is totally dependent upon the three “legs” of the coating triangle: Surface Preparation, Application, and Material. If the steel has not been prepared properly or if the application is done in less than ideal conditions, the coating will fail and corrosion will result. Paint is one example of the barrier method.  

Cathodic protection is a process whereby the metal is protected from corrosion by changing an element of the corrosion circuit. A form of cathodic protection is called the sacrificial anode method. In this system, a metal that is anodic to the metal to be protected is introduced into the corrosion circuit and becomes the anode. The protected metal then becomes the cathode and will not corrode. Zinc is anodic to iron and steel and by forming a metallurgical bond between the coating and the underlying steel, hot dip galvanizing provides cathodic protection as well as barrier protection.  

Furthermore, since the hot dip galvanizing process calls for the steel to be immersed into a bath of molten zinc and other earthly metals, it is being protected on 100% of its surface. This protection is critical and unavailable in other types of corrosion protection. It really serves no useful purpose to have a wonderful design, fabricated perfectly, with "rust bleed" staining the steel or adjacent material. This discoloration will lead to the public’s perception of inferior workmanship and lack of maintenance. As much attention must be paid to this particular issue as to the proper fabrication techniques. Since many garage components are tubular, it is important to specify a corrosion protection system that will not only protect the steel on the outside, but on the inside as well.   In addition to providing corrosion protection, galvanizing’s pleasing gray color meets many visual requirements as well. Typically, galvanized steel will oxidize to a uniform patina. However, when the need for color is required for safety reasons or the design calls for a particular color scheme, galvanized steel can be successfully topcoated.

Contact Duncan Galvanizing

By following a proven formula, Duncan can add the beauty and additional longevity of a high performance coating system over galvanizing. For more information on the available paint and powder coating systems, and their warranties, please contact us at 617-389-8440 or fill out a contact form.

 

Tags: Corrosion Protection, Hot Dip Galvanizing, Duncan Galvanizing

What is the Production Process for Hot-Dip Galvanizing?

Posted by Popi Papadonta on Wed, Dec 21, 2011 @ 01:15 PM

Step 1: Surface preparation

Thorough cleaning is necessary as zinc will only adhere to clean steel. This gets accomplished by:

  • Degreasing: a hot alkaline cleaner is used to remove oil, grease, dirt, loose particles, and any other contaminates that may exist on the surface of the material

  • Acid pickling: an acid bath is used to remove mill scale and oxides

  • Fluxing (dry kettle): pre-fluxing in a zinc ammonium chloride solution to remove oxides and to prevent oxidation prior to dipping into molten zinc

Step 2: Immersion in bath of molten zinc

During this step, the steel is immersed in a bath of molten zinc at approximately 830˚F. The mix in the bath consists of ~98% pure zinc and 2% additives (Al, Bi, Ni). The zinc reacts with the iron in steel and it forms a coating which is metallurgically bonded to the steel. Also, the zinc flows into recesses and other areas difficult to access, coating all areas of complex shapes thoroughly for corrosion protection. Hot dip galvanizing is the only coating system that protects tubular steel on the inside. The zinc goes “in, around, over, under and through” the fabrication. 

hot dip galvanizingThe size of zinc baths varies from galvanizer to galvanizer and this restricts the size of steel that can be galvanized. When choosing a galvanizer, make sure that the size of the zinc bath is big enough to accommodate the size of your products such as large structural shapes. 

The final product is protected against corrosion as zinc creates a barrier between steel and the environment and also cathodically protects the base metal. 

Step 3: Finishing


After the steel is withdrawn from the galvanizing bath, excess zinc is removed by draining, by vibrating or for small items, by centrifuging. The galvanized item is then cooled in air.


Step 4: Inspection

Steel is inspected after galvanizing to verify conformance with specs

 

Contact Duncan Galvanizing

For high-quality hot dip galvanizing, color galvanizing, and more, contact Duncan Galvanizing at (617) 389-8440 or fill out a contact form.

 

Sources: Duncan Galvanizing Corp., American Galvanizers Association

Tags: Corrosion Protection, Hot Dip Galvanizing, Duncan Galvanizing