Increased Corrosion Resistance and Other Advantages of Hot-dip Galvanization

Hot-dip galvanization, a process in which steel is coated in zinc, was developed primarily to prevent the alloy from corroding. Steel is dipped into a bath of molten zinc and is then removed left to cool in a quench tank. When the cooling process is complete, the zinc coating is then metallurgically bonded to the steel. Hot-dip galvanizing is carried out for many purposes other than protecting steel from corrosion. These include: 

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1. Longer life, lower maintenance. Galvanization renders the surface of the steel friendlier for cleaning, resulting in a maintenance-free life of up to five decades, depending on the environment where the steel is employed. When maintenance becomes necessary, the process will be straightforward, doing away with complex preparation treatments. 

2. Quick coating process. A full protection coating can be applied in just a few hours, whereas a complicated paint system would require at least a week. 

3. High-strength metal product. Because the coating is bonded metallurgically to the steel, galvanized steel has by far the greatest resistance to mechanical damage during handling, storage, transport, and construction. This is an extremely important quality for industries that heavily rely on steelwork (such as shipbuilding). 

4. Acceleration of construction time. Galvanized steel is a finished product in itself, which means that it only requires little preparation for various applications. No painting, touch up, or inspection required. 

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Chris Keehner is the president of DS Pipe & Steel Supply LLC, a supplier of more than 120 different industrial product lines with primary focus on steel, pipes, weld fittings, groove fittings, and ball valves. For inquiries, visit this website.

Steel or plastic? The best materials for your piping needs

Old pipe systems in homes, office buildings, and industrial establishments have originally only used galvanized steel or cast iron. Today, however, the variety of materials used in fluid conveyances has been considerably wide. These include the following:

Steel. Steel pipes are strong and readily available, but last for only about 50 years. They can get eroded over time and may require replacement rather than repair when something gets broken.

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Copper. Copper pipe is very resistant to corrosion, so it is commonly used in water supply lines. It costs more than plastic but lasts much longer.

ABS. Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene or ABS is a plastic material first used in residential plumbing in the 1970s. It is usually colored black and is very affordable.

PVC. Polyvinyl-chloride or PVC is a white or cream-colored pipe most commonly used in drain lines. It is very strong, does not easily react with chemicals, and could last for a long time. The rating and diameter is stamped right on the pipe.

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PEX. Cross-linked polyethylene or PEX is the newest kind of pipe for residential use. Approved in most states, it can be easily installed, is flexible, and uses compression fittings. However, more permanent connections require a special crimping tool. As for its price, PEX is three to four times more expensive than copper or plastic.  
  
Chris Keehner is the president of DS Pipe & Steel Supply LLC, an independent, family-owned, full-line stocking distributor of structural steel, pipes, valves, fittings, and piping specialties. For more about his company’s services, click here.