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Benefits of Hot-Dip Galvanization for Fabric Structures

August 5, 2020
cobra structures hot dip galvanization
By: Cobra Structures Team

As an authorized Britespan dealer, any structure we build can receive hot-dip galvanization — a major advantage of choosing Cobra Structures. Our hot-dip galvanized steel trusses provide life-long corrosion resistance to minimize any fabric structure damage. These fabric structures are also rust-resistant and durable, standing put in the harshest environments in North America.

Breaking Down Hot-Dip Galvanization

First off, hot-dip galvanizing combats steel corrosion. When steel is exposed to harsh environments it increases the risk of corrosion — a.k.a. rust. In order to prevent this, we coat our steel structures for protection.

Hot-dip galvanizing will isolate the steel from its environment. “Cathodic protection” is another result of hot-dip galvanizing, which is when the zinc sacrifices itself to protect the underlying steel. That way the coating can survive scratches and damages without the steel also suffering.

⁣What hot-dip galvanization boils down to is building strength in your steel trusses.

A galvanizing kettle forms intermetallic layers that are metallurgically-bonded to the steel (and in English, a tub combines metals which attach to the steel). This means the galvanizing layers are evenly bonded and in close contact with the steel.

When bonded, the top layer is made up of pure zinc. The zinc absorbs any impact and grows evenly to the steel, forming the same flat thickness across the surface’s corners and edges.

Once this process is complete, hot-dip galvanizing increases the steel’s durability.

Stability of Hot-Dip Galvanization  

As mentioned, zinc is a material used for hot-dip galvanizing steel structures. Zinc is proven to prevent steel corrosion more than other surface treatments. Because of its superior barrier of protection, hot-dip galvanized steel won’t chip or flake off for decades. This applies to structures in all kinds of industrial, urban, suburban, and rural environments.

According to the American Galvanizers Association, structures without galvanized steel corrode 30 times faster than buildings that have received hot-dip galvanization.

Studies have also indicated that hot-dip galvanizing can provide more than 70 years of maintenance-free corrosion protection in industrial atmospheres.

When To Hot-Dip Galvanize 

Galvanizers (workers who apply a protective coating to steel) can be found throughout North American and are ready to work 24/7/365 and rain or shine! Steel in all shapes and sizes can be hot-dipped with no cure time needed, which means it’s ready to go even if you have a tight schedule.

Anyone can then stack and store the steel outdoors without any worry of degradation or corrosion until its ready for construction. 

Hot-Dip Galvanization Elements 

Iron ore is the fourth most abundant element on earth. Miners collect the iron ore before melting it down. Once galvanizers finish this process, they add carbon to form steel. 

Hot-dip galvanizing involves coating steel in zinc, which is the 24th most abundant element on earth.

Both of these elements are 100% recyclable which means galvanized steel can be used again and again, creating an infinitely renewable resource.