What is galvanization?
Galvanization is the curing of steel to prevent rust and corrosion. This is done by lowering the steel into melted zinc. The metal then undergoes a chemical reaction that yields a combined alloy of the zinc and the iron in the steel. This merging of the two materials makes the final product more resistant to rust. Even if rust were to attack steel after it had undergone galvanization, the rust would affect the zinc instead of the iron in the steel. Why is it Needed? Galvanization is primarily needed to prevent rust, which occurs when moisture and oxygen hit the iron found in the steel. The zinc protects the iron by covering it from these elements and taking the corroding effects instead of the iron. Additionally, the resulting alloy from galvanization is more resistant to physical damage. Precautions As with all chemical reactions, a byproduct is produced. The most prominent of these is noxious fumes. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Pollutant Emission Factors, Subsection 40,
