How Does HDG Compare?
An Informed Choice.
Corrosion protection is a crucial finishing process in most steel fabrication operations.
Whether it’s large steel structures, boat trailers or security fences and gates, steel fabricated items must be treated with one of many available corrosion protection layers if these items are to withstand the effects of exposure to the elements over time.
There are four main options to consider when adding a corrosion-resistance coating to steel items:
- painting,
- powder coating,
- plastic coating or
- Hot Dip Galvanizing.
We’d like to take a quick run through these options, outlining the different properties each solution offers and which solution you should choose based on the type of product you manufacture and the weather conditions it will need to withstand.
Painting, whether manually with a paintbrush or spray painting is amongst the most affordable corrosion layers you can add to any item in the short term. Paint is also available in almost infinite shades of any colour you can imagine which makes it an aesthetically attractive option.
Paint is also relatively easy to apply without much in the way of specialised equipment and touch-ups and maintenance are simple and easy to carry out.
Unfortunately, paint is not a durable solution and has a far shorter lifespan when compared to the other solutions we will be looking at. It also requires regular maintenance and repainting especially if the item is exposed to extreme conditions like coastal weather.
Powder Coating, as with painting is available in a wide range of colours but it is significantly more effective at corrosion protection and far more durable than simple painting because it is electrostatically applied as a dry powder and heat-cured into a protective layer.
Unlike painting though, powder coating is not easy to repair should it ever peel, crack or chip as the coating on the entire piece will need to be stripped and recoated. Powder coating is also significantly more expensive than painting.
Plastic Coating offers a non-conductive layer, making it great for situations where electrical insulation is required. It is also an incredibly durable corrosion protection layer if correctly prepared and applied but is generally not available in a wide range of colours.
Plastic coating is also an expensive initial process and can potentially chip and crack if surface preparation is not thorough. Touch-ups are also not as simple as painting.
Hot Dip Galvanizing offers outstanding durability and corrosion resistance by adding a layer of molten zinc to the steel item. Zinc coatings can last up to 50 years in certain environments and need very little maintenance, even self-healing small areas of damage.
Because the items are dipped into molten zinc, the protection layer is both external and internal, resulting in superior corrosion resistance, which is impossible with painting.
Although more expensive than painting, Hot Dip Galvanizing is more affordable than other coatings. When factoring in the longevity as a result of the superior protection, Hot Dip Galvanizing becomes an excellent option for just about any steel-fabricated item.
Durban Galvanizing’s facilities allow for the dipping of large fabricated steel items, our Phoenix branch boasts a Zink kettle 14m long. Our team of technical experts are available to provide advice and guidance to ensure your steel items are coated to the highest standards and ensure years of uninterrupted service.