Hot-dip Galvanizing

Hot-dip galvanizing is a form of galvanization. It is the process of coating iron, steel or aluminum with a thin zinc layer, by passing the metal through a molten bath of zinc at a temperature of around 860 °F (460 °C). When exposed to the atmosphere, the pure zinc (Zn) reacts with oxygen (O₂) to form zinc oxide (ZnO), which further reacts with carbon dioxide (CO₂) to form zinc carbonate (ZnCO₃), a usually dull grey, fairly strong material that stops further corrosion in many circumstances, protecting the steel below from the elements. Galvanized steel is widely used in applications where rust resistance is needed, and can be identified by the crystallization patterning on the surface (often called a “spangle”).