Different techniques for galvanizing

For centuries, people have known of zinc’s wonderful ability to protect steel from corrosion. In all those years, a number of different methods have been devised to implement this. Each method in itself has its own specific characteristics and provides properties that can be completely different from one another.
Oddly enough, however, only the word ‘galvanizing’ is still used as a generic term, resulting in all kinds of misunderstandings among designers, specifiers and contractors. One also hears talk of ‘galvanizing’ when what is meant is hot-dip galvanizing. Often, however, the contractor understands it to mean electrogalvanizing. Ultimately, misinterpreting the client’s wishes leads to both premature corrosion and possible failure of the construction.
Proper use of the correct terms is therefore of paramount importance for good quality of the final product. The use of the designation ‘galvanizing’ in specifications or on drawings is confusing and in practice leads to complaints and damages due to too much freedom on the part of the executor of the specifications. ‘Galvanizing’ refers only to the application of a layer of zinc. A desired application method, and thus an intended final quality, is not defined. Later in the construction process, the attention or will to agree on a method is often lacking. The client or the end user is then usually left with the negative consequences.
Because everyone strives for good quality, this brochure sets out the seven methods for applying a zinc coating and indicates the terms by which the desired quality can be unambiguously prescribed.