| Steel is chemically an alloy of iron, carbon | | | | construction and automobile chassis. |
| and other trace elements. Although carbon is | | | | |
| the preferred element for blending with | | | | Both techniques of galvanizing steel (namely |
| steel; nickel and tungsten are added to | | | | hot dip and electrogalvanizing) have their |
| improve the quality of steel. Stainless steel | | | | unique advantages and applications. Although |
| and galvanized steel are the most common | | | | electrogalvanized steel is lighter and has a |
| forms of steel available, and steel is graded | | | | thinner coat of zinc, it is not ideal for |
| into various categories depending on its | | | | extreme weather conditions or conditions |
| composition. Stainless steel and galvanised | | | | where water will be in continuous contact |
| steel are produced by entirely different | | | | with the steel. Electrogalvanized steel is |
| chemical processes and stainless steel is | | | | used for making nails and smaller items that |
| perhaps the most widely used form of steel. | | | | will not be exposed to extreme weather |
| Stainless steel is an iron-carbon alloy with | | | | conditions. Galvanized steel has such a |
| 10.5% chromium; on the other hand, galvanised | | | | robust coating of zinc that it is used for |
| steel is basically steel coated with zinc to | | | | making ship parts that are in continuous |
| increase its durability. | | | | contact with salt water and the quality of |
| | | | galvanized steel is tested using a salt |
| A popular method of producing galvanized | | | | spray. |
| steel is called hot dip galvanisation. Hot | | | | |
| dip galvanization is a process that involves | | | | Galvanised steel also has aesthetic value as |
| passing steel through a molten bath of zinc. | | | | hot dip galvanization of steel produces a |
| The zinc goes through a series of chemical | | | | characteristic crystallization effect known |
| reactions and chemically bonds with the | | | | as 'spangle'. By adjusting the number of |
| steel, forming a surface coating of zinc and | | | | particles added and by regulating the rate of |
| steel. Contrary to popular belief, galvanized | | | | cooling, spangled steel can be produced with |
| steel can be used pretty much like regular | | | | various effects. However, galvanized steel |
| steel and popular applications of galvanized | | | | with spangles is rarely used for purposes |
| steel include steel sheets, l-beams and | | | | other than statues and modern art. |
| automobile chassis. | | | | |
| | | | In a nutshell, both stainless steel and |
| Compared to ordinary steel, galvanized steel | | | | galvanized steel have their unique properties |
| is rust proof and is ideal for extreme | | | | and the choice of which steel to use is based |
| weather conditions. Galvanized steel is used | | | | on the area of application. |
| for roofing and walling, making heating and | | | | |
| cooling ducts and metal pails. Individual | | | | CRS (Cold rolled steel) |
| items like steel girders or wrought iron | | | | |
| gates can also be hot-dip galvanized by a | | | | Contrary to popular belief, cold rolled steel |
| process called batch galvanizing. Today, hot | | | | is not an alloy of steel but is instead a |
| dip galvanization has been replaced by more | | | | finishing process. Cold rolled steel is |
| energy efficient and convenient techniques | | | | popularly known as white steel and is a |
| like electrogalvanizing. | | | | process that involves rolling steel through |
| | | | heavy rollers to produce steel that can be as |
| Electrogalvanizing involves electroplating | | | | thin as 0.0142 inches. Cold rolled steel |
| zinc on to steel and results in a thinner | | | | sheets are used for a variety of products and |
| layer and stronger bond. Galvanized steel is | | | | cold rolled steel sheets can be ordered based |
| still produced using hot dip galvanization | | | | on their size, thickness and also the type of |
| but individual items like steel girders are | | | | steel that has been used. In addition other |
| usually galvanized using electrogalvanizing. | | | | factors like surface finish (matt or |
| Although stainless steel is supposed to be | | | | embossed), steel chemistry and special |
| rust proof, there are numerous chemical and | | | | finishes can also be specified when ordering |
| environment factors that can cause corrosion | | | | cold rolled steel sheets. Cold rolled steel |
| and cracking of stainless steel. Galvanized | | | | is available in various grades and has |
| steel is thus the preferred form of steel for | | | | numerous applications depending on its grade. |