Galvanized Steel: Everything You Need to Know
Galvanized steel is a durable, corrosion-resistant material that has underpinned construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects for over a century. But what exactly is it? And why does it remain such a trusted choice? Here’s a straightforward breakdown.
Why Is Galvanized Steel So Popular?
Galvanized steel offers a host of long-term advantages:
- Corrosion resistance
- Durability and strength
- Cost-effectiveness
- Low maintenance
- Environmental sustainability
It performs exceptionally in demanding environments, including coastal areas, industrial zones, and exposed structures.
What Is Galvanizing?
Galvanizing is the process of applying a protective layer of zinc to steel. This zinc coating shields the steel from rust by acting as both a physical barrier and a sacrificial layer. The most common method is hot-dip galvanizing, where the steel is immersed in molten zinc.
The Galvanization Process at Mgalv
With over 50 years of experience, Mgalv has refined a galvanizing process into one built for quality and reliability:
Step 1: Degreasing
Steel is immersed in a caustic solution to remove paint, oil, grease, and dirt, followed by a water rinse.
Step 2: Pickling
The steel is then submerged in hydrochloric acid to strip away rust and mill scale. Another rinse ensures a clean surface.
Step 3: Fluxing
Next, the steel enters a zinc ammonium chloride flux solution. This prevents oxidation before galvanizing and promotes strong zinc-to-steel bonding. The steel is dried before proceeding.
Step 4: Galvanizing
The clean, fluxed steel is dipped into a molten zinc bath at 450°C. Zinc alloys form on the steel’s surface and penetrate every recess, ensuring full coverage. The steel is then cooled in a quench bath with a passivation agent to delay oxidation.
Benefits of Galvanized Steel
- Corrosion Resistance: Zinc protects the steel from rust and ensures even hidden recesses are coated.
- Longevity: Galvanized steel can last 50 years or more in most environments. Want to know how long your product will last? Mgalv’s products can be assessed for durability against an Australian Standard, AS/NZS 2312.2 and the GAA’s durability estimator can assess your products.
- Cost-Effective: Long life and low maintenance mean reduced lifecycle costs.
- Low Maintenance: Once installed, it needs little attention—no regular painting or treatment.
- Eco-Friendly: It’s both long-lasting and recyclable. Mgalv has an EPD available for hot dip galvanized steel, with a new one under development in 2025.
Applications of Galvanized Steel
- Construction & Infrastructure: Bridges, sheds, crash barriers, cable trays, fencing, and light poles all benefit from galvanized steel’s strength and weather resistance.
- Automotive Industry: Once limited to high-end vehicles, galvanized steel now forms around 80% of the average car body due to its durability and safety performance.
- Homes: From structural lintels and stumps to fences and gates, galvanized steel is widely used for its strength and low maintenance. And it can be easily painted with professionally designed systems available.
- Industrial Manufacturing: In chemical plants, energy facilities, and factories, galvanized steel is used for structural beams, storage tanks, and in many other places where reliability and strength are paramount.
- Mining: Galvanised steel plays a critical role in the mining industry due to its exceptional durability and resistance to corrosion in harsh environments. Commonly used in structural supports, walkways, conveyors, and protective enclosures, galvanised steel extends the service life of infrastructure and equipment exposed to moisture, chemicals, and abrasive conditions. Its low maintenance requirements and long-term reliability make it a cost-effective choice for mining operations focused on safety, efficiency, and operational continuity.
A Proven Performer
Galvanized steel isn’t just a modern convenience—it’s a material with a century-long track record. It delivers when it comes to protection, performance, and practicality. For those seeking longevity, reliability, and value, galvanized steel remains one of the best investments in industrial, mining, housing, and structural applications.