HOW ZINC COATINGS PROTECT METAL FROM CORROSION

Are you wondering what the best way is to make your steel and iron components anti-corrosive? Well, you just hit the right page that has its solution. "Zinc", a naturally occurring metallic element, is the best form of material that resists corrosion on steel and iron products.

Electroplating zinc is the practice followed by the majority of players in the industry to make metal components resistant to corrosion. Zinc is the world’s fourth-largest consumed metal today. From bolts and washers to automobile components and big industrial parts, everything is electroplated with zinc to make them non-corrosive.

Zinc has been used since historic times; its oldest dated usage is from 79 AD when it was used as a construction component. Zinc is also used in making a copper alloy, where zinc and copper fuse together to make bronze, which is considered one of the strongest metals that are also non-corrosive. Let us find out in this article by Khambati Metal Industries, which is one of the leading steel trading companies in the UAE, what makes zinc coating the perfect metal for corrosion resistance.

Electroplating Zinc Adds a Protective Layer to the Surface of Metal

You would have certainly observed the formation of dark maroon and murky-looking formations on the surface of iron and steel products. This is the result of oxidation. When iron and steel surfaces come in contact with nature and oxygen, to be precise, a chemical reaction occurs due to the presence of oxygen, and metal surfaces get corroded. Iron and steel, in particular, are the most corrosive of all metals. But they are also one of the best materials to work with. To make iron and steel products or components corrosion resistant, they are plated with various materials.

When you electroplate steel or iron surfaces, it forms a protective layer on top of the surface of the metal. This protective layer of zinc forms a barrier between the steel surfaces and avoids its contact with oxygen, thereby avoiding corrosion. Khambati Metal Industries is one of the largest steel manufacturing companies in Dubai. Quality zinc-coated metal components and different products are available with us in huge quantities.

Zinc Keeps the Moisture Out

If the air was a major problem that caused oxidation and promoted corrosion, then water present in the form of moisture in the atmosphere is an even greater enemy of oxidation and corrosion. At Khambati Metal Industries, we can deliver good quality steel and metal products because of our ability to procure the best quality zinc and manufacture steel components by coating them with zinc. Being one of the largest steel suppliers in Dubai and UAE, we never compromise on the quality of the base components that we use for manufacturing different components.

When zinc is present on the surface of the steel, it obstructs the contact between moisture and the metal surface. Thus, it is an excellent anti-corrosive metal. And in an event when moisture meets the zinc surface, it reacts to give further protection to the metal.

Zinc Reacts with Oxygen to Provide Extra Protection.

When zinc-coated metal surfaces get exposed to oxygen for an extended period, the zinc starts forming a reaction with oxygen. Most would believe that this reaction would make the metal surface more prone to corrosion. But contrary to it, this reaction gives additional protection to the metal surface.

Due to its many good properties, zinc is considered one of the best metals to coat steel and iron components with. Just about half of the zinc procured around the world is used for electroplating steel and iron components; just imagine how good zinc is at resisting corrosion. Khambati Metal Industries is one of the oldest metal trading companies in the UAE; we manufacture zinc-coated products with the desired customization.

When zinc comes into contact with oxygen for an extended period, it reacts with oxygen and forms zinc oxide. When this zinc oxide comes in contact with water, it again reacts and forms zinc hydroxide. The zinc hydroxide thus formed reacts with carbon dioxide and forms zinc carbonate. The zinc carbonate thus formed settles on the surface of the component in the form of a thin layer. This thin layer of zinc carbonate further protects the metal surface from corrosion. Zinc thus manages to protect metal surfaces in multiple ways.

In domestic use, where products will be used for an extended period or in medical use, stainless steel is preferred rather than zinc coated. At Khambati Metal Industries, being one of the stainless steel suppliers in the UAE, you can find different types of stainless steel components as well.

Zinc Coating Makes a Sacrifice to Protect Metal Surfaces

Whenever steep and iron surfaces are coated with zinc, zinc sacrifices itself first. In events where a scratch or cut is formed on the surface of the metal, even in such times, zinc first gets corroded and then lets the steel or metal surface gets corroded.

The process of electroplating steel on the surface of metals is also called galvanization. Khambati Metal Industries is one of the most technically advanced galvanizing companies in the UAE. We manufacture different types of galvanized steel products, such as metal sheets and bars. As compared to powder coatings and considering powder coating in Dubai, electroplating zinc or galvanizing with zinc gives better protection to metal surfaces than any other metal. Indeed, Zinc is a very good team player and sacrifices itself before letting his entire team fall.

Zinc Slows Down Corrosion Process

The entire metal industry in the UAE would recommend that coating zinc on any metal surface enhances its life and duration of use. Another great thing about zinc is that zinc slows down the corrosion process by 100 times. By slowing down the corrosion process and making it 100 times slower, the life of a metal component increases by at least 8–10 years. The project in which such components are used gets better returns on their investment.

Concluding Lines

Zinc coating protects metal surfaces in many forms, not just one form. That is why zinc became one of the best anti-corrosive metals.