Key Considerations for Hot Dip Galvanizing

Key Considerations for Hot Dip Galvanizing

Hot dip galvanizing is a process where a piece of base metal is immersed into a bath of molten zinc for enhancing the durability and functionality of the base metal. After the completion of the hot dip galvanization process, the base metal is resistant to corrosion and hence appropriately suitable for the intended purpose of use. But the users need to make sure to choose a trusted, reputed, and reliable service provider so that the best practices are followed for the optimum quality galvanizing. One of the most important rules to be followed during the process is that the designer, fabricator, as well as the galvanizer should work together. An appropriate three-way communication plays a vital role in the elimination of most of the problems in the hot dip galvanization process.

To make the entire process smooth and hassle free, we have listed a few of the key considerations for the hot dip galvanizing process. 

Removal of Soil and Grease – Oil, grease, shop oil, and soluble paints are to be removed from the base metal with the help of a hot alkaline cleaner. On the other hand, soils like vinyl, epoxies, welding slag, and asphalt should be removed by grit blasting or other mechanical process of cleaning. 

Pickling – It is the process of chemically cleaning the surface of the base metal. An acid bath is used for the removal of rust and mill scale for providing a chemically clean surface of the base metal. It would be ideal to use hydrochloric acid since it is more environment friendly and does not affect the surface of the base metal. 

Prefluxing – The base metal which is usually steel needs to be immersed in a liquid flux for the removal of oxides and prevent oxidation before finally dipping it into the bath of molten zinc. It would be ideal to use zinc ammonium chloride solution for Prefluxing process.

Galvanizing – The prepared base metal then needs to be immersed into a bath of molten zinc at about 455 degree Celsius or 850 degree Fahrenheit to ensure appropriate metallurgical bonding of zinc to the base metal. 

Finishing – Once the metal is withdrawn from the molten zinc bath, it is essential to remove the excess zinc by draining, vibrating, or centrifuging. Next, it is important to cool the galvanized item in air or by quenching in water. The air quenching process takes a bit longer as compared to the water quenching method but it results in a much better surface finish, and hence an important consideration in architecturally exposed steel. 

Checking or Inspection – Checking or inspection of the final product is the ultimate step as well as consideration in the hot dip galvanizing process. In this step, the thickness and the surface conditions are checked for meeting the quality criteria. 

All these key considerations mentioned above would make sure that the base metal is appropriately galvanized. In this regard, it would be ideal to call in for the helps of a professional service provider for getting the best solutions. In this situation, Prashant Galvanizers would undoubtedly the ideal choice. With several years of experience in this field, Prashant Galvanizers makes sure to provide optimum quality galvanization so that none of the users get even a single chance to complain. So, for all your galvanization requirements, get in touch with the team of Prashant Galvanizers at the earliest.