How is Galvanized steel mesh made? It is important that steel is produced in a way that it resists rust. This is done by combining steel with a type of metal that is resistant to corrosion. This corrosion resistant metal is zinc. When you submerge steel in melted zinc, a chemical reaction takes place and bonds the melted zinc to the steel. The zinc is technically not a sealer because unlike paint, it does not just coat the material but more importantly, it permanently becomes a part of the material. The external layer of the metal is now zinc while the successive layers are made up of both zinc and iron while the most interior part is made of pure steel.
This process of incorporating zinc into steel is known as galvanization. This is the most common way of creating galvanized steel. Continuous galvanizing a steel metal processes a steel wire or sheet on molten zinc. This is also one form of hot dipping. However, the continuous process leaves a much thinner layer of metal. You can also paint or spray the steel with zinc. The process of electrogalvanizing or also known as electroplating makes use of electricity in order to create a bond between the two metals. This will result in a thin layer of zinc.
The degree of galvanizing a metal sheet is described in terms of the zinc’s weight in every surface area rather than the thickness of the zinc. This gives a better presentation of the amount of metal that was applied on the steel. Most steel are galvanized after the different parts have already been formed like the nails, braces, beams, studs or screws. Before the steel is fashioned to created different products, the metal is usually subjected to continuous galvanizing first.
What are the different benefits of galvanization? Incorporating the mineral zinc into steel protects it in two distinct ways. Foremost, the presence of zinc will keep the steel from rusting. Since a component of steel reacts easily with moisture as well as with oxygen, having zinc around the steel will keep the metal from rusting. The layer of zinc will prevent the different weathering elements from reaching the steel. The zinc also offers patina which consists of salt, zinc oxides and other compounds. The element zinc is also very durable and is resistant to scratches. It likewise has a satiny appearance which makes it attractive.
The outer layer of the steel acts as a sacrificial layer by protecting the steel from different elements. In areas where the surface is damages, the zinc surrounding the steel will corrode first.