Galvanized steel shows up in numerous everyday applications. Galvanized steel is even used to touch up boats, storage sheds and chain linked fences. But, when galvanized steel is in constant contact with water, it can develop a kind of corrosion known as white rust.
Here is what to do if you start to notice white rust develop.
Galvanized metal is coated with zinc that gives it a green patina as the metal is exposed to the air. If that metal is underwater or exposed to water on a constant basis for a long time, the zinc coating begins to react with the water and the carbon dioxide in the air to form zinc carbonate, which is off-white. Eventually the zinc carbonate can flake away and expose the steel beneath it. Exposed steel will rust much more quickly from the more familiar reddish-brown rust.
Most of us won’t do anything to protect metal before we see reddish-brown rust. But here’s what you need to do to prevent further damage:
If you just let white rust “go,” the surrounding area that is still galvanized will slow down the corrosion – even the part that has lost its coating. But eventually rust will destroy metal if you don’t take care of it.
What about damaged galvanized steel in commercial applications? Hot-dip galvanized steel is very resistant to damage, but occasionally it is damaged after it leaves the galvanizing plant. Corrosive in-service conditions, rough handling in transit, and faulty installation techniques can cause abrasion of galvanized steel. Under very rare circumstances, trace contaminants in solvents used in the cleaning process can damage the zinc coating on galvanized steel.
For large pieces of damaged galvanized steel, the recommended procedures are applying zinc-rich paint or zinc-rich solder. These procedures aren’t really galvanizing, but they can stop the damage, assuming the surface is properly prepared before paint or solder are applied.
It’s also possible to repair a damaged part by metallizing, spraying it with molten zinc. This is a real galvanizing process that greatly extends the useful life of the damaged steel.
Have any more questions about repairing galvanized steel? Contact us and we would be happy to answer them. Follow our blog and call us when we can be of assistance!
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