Hot-dip galvanized steel is particularly corrosion-protected and therefore particularly durable. With our strip galvanizing plants at locations in Austria, the Netherlands and Hungary, we fully cover the requirements for comprehensive corrosion protection. We process input material into galvanized strip steel with zinc coatings of between 50 and 1,200 g/m2, which corresponds to a zinc coating thickness of 3.5 µm to 84 µm. In doing so, we align strip tolerances and material grades exactly to the needs of our customers. At our processing locations for flat steel we have high-performance slitting lines in which we process strip thicknesses from 0.95 to 6.00 mm in widths of 20 - 1,650 mm.
Detailed information on the delivery programs of our hot-dip galvanizing plants can be found on the right.
What is meant by "hot dip galvanizing"?
“Hot dip galvanizing" describes the process of metallic surface coating of steel with a thin layer of hot zinc (450°C). Hot dip galvanizing of steel is one of several galvanizing methods. A distinction is made between discontinuous batch galvanizing and continuous strip galvanizing. The latter method is used to produce hot-dip galvanized steel strip, as is the case at Wuppermann.
Why is steel galvanized?
Steel is hot-dip galvanized to protect against corrosion (red rust). The thin layer of zinc can protect the steel from rusting for several decades. Corrosion protection on steel ensures the safety and durability of structures and components. It also contributes to economic efficiency, as repairs are not necessary. In addition, climate protection is an important argument in favor of hot-dip galvanizing: thanks to resource efficiency, less steel is needed. If less steel is needed, less steel has to be extracted from ore bodies. This in turn reduces CO2 emissions and protects our climate.
How does hot dip galvanizing work?
In hot dip galvanizing steel is drawn through a bath of molten zinc at 450°C. In this procedure the pure zinc is applied to the steel. Due to the low aluminum content in the hot zinc bath, an adhesive bond is formed. Such an applied zinc on steel behaves better in adhesion than piece galvanized materials. Since steel is the nobler metal next to zinc, zinc is made into a so-called sacrificial anode (i.e. zinc "sacrifices" itself) in this process and can protect steel from corrosion for decades.
Why is zinc suitable as corrosion protection?
Zinc protects steel very well against corrosion. Zinc forms a very thin, weather-resistant passivation layer (protective layer) on the steel in contact with air during hot-dip galvanizing and forms a kind of natural corrosion protection. For this reason, zinc in particular is very often used to coat other, more noble metals (hot-dip galvanizing) and thus protect them from rust. Already in antiquity, zinc was used as an alloy component for metals, primarily for brass.
Can hot dip galvanized steel rust?
Hot-dip galvanized steel will only rust if the zinc layer is destroyed after decades of use in harsh environment. In general, the thicker the zinc coating of the hot-dip galvanized steel, the more corrosion resistant it is, i.e. the longer the steel remains rust-free. This period can be as long as several decades and also depends on the situation where the steel is used.