Frequently asked questions about Galserv and hot-dip galvanising technical services. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Hot-dip galvanising involves dipping steel articles into a molten zinc bath (around 450 C). This forms a zinc coating to protect the base steel.
The galvanising process can have a varying lead time depending on amount of workload during any given time period. Lead time is usually provided in working days by our customer service team, so feel free to contact us anytime.
We charge for our service based on the galvanised weight of the steel. Heavier types of steel such as structural beams and channels have a different rate compared to lighter material such as balustrades and brackets. The complexity of galvanising; as it applies to 3-dimensional items for example, will also affect the price for galvanising.
Feel free to contact us to get a quote.
If the total weight of the order is below our minimum charge, it will apply. Generally, this applies to orders with less than 65kg for lighter material, and less than 100kg for heavier structural material.
Hot-dip galvanising is an economical solution for steel protection. When compared with painting, costs should be considered in two ways: initial cost and maintenance cost (also referred to as life cycle cost).
Hot-dip galvanising provides long-term protection with little to no maintenance required. Finishes such as 85µm can be estimated to last a minimum of 20 years to a maximum of 40 years in a C4 environment for HDG600.
Painting, however, will require touch-up repairs and ongoing maintenance across the same time period to maintain appearance and protection which can be costly.
With reduced maintenance costs, extended lifespan, and lower long-term expenses, hot-dip galvanising steel presents a cost-effective solution for corrosion protection.
For full details on the economics of hot-dip galvanising visit the GAA.
The process involves cleaning the steel article in several chemical tanks; which includes degreasing to remove any grease, oils and dirt on the steel surface, followed by pickling to remove any rust.
It then enters the zinc kettle, followed by quench and passivation to cool the steel and protect the zinc coating from white rust.
Yes, we can pick up and deliver to most areas in Sydney with our rigid, semi and Hiab trucks. We charge at an hourly rate for each truck; as per the pickup/delivery requirements.
Hot dip galvanising forms a zinc layer that is thicker than most other types of galvanising; providing longer corrosion protection.
Compared to other methods of steel corrosion protection such as paint, galvanising generally offers a lower overall cost, and longer lasting and reliable corrosion protection (depending on application of steel). See “How long does galvanised steel last?”
Our galvanising service meets the standard according to AS/NZS 4680:2006, which means steel articles will conform to the thickness requirements according to the standard.
Holes are needed in steel articles for hanging purposes, and to allow for venting and draining of chemicals from the cleaning tanks, and the molten zinc in the kettle. Lack of holes can lead to damage to the steel articles and visual defects such as excess zinc lumps in certain areas, and a very rough coating surface.
Please consult the GAA design guide for more information, or feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Certain materials and items may require abrasive blasting prior to galvanising, which we can arrange for you. We’d encourage you to contact our team for technical advice for your project requirements and the material in question.
We can generally process steel with light/surface rust, and common coating such as light grease and some water based paints.
When steel is coated in lacquer, heavy oil/grease, oil based paints, or large amounts of rust, the steel needs to be sandblasted before it is delivered to our facility. We can help to arrange this step for you.
We can also regalvanise steel that has any galvanised coating at an additional charge.
Steel needs to have minimum dimensions for us to process it. Otherwise that steel needs to be spin galvanised. Feel free to contact us for more info.
Galvanised steel will have varying time periods before maintenance is needed; depending on the coating thickness and the corrosivity of the surrounding. This can be over 50 years in less corrosive environments. This is specified under AS 2312.
For more information, view our downloads page.
The size of the steel that can be galvanised is restricted by our kettle size, and in some cases the space restrictions of the plant.
Depending on the overall dimensions, some steel may need to be double dipped. Generally, articles longer than 9.5m, or wider than 2.2m need to be double dipped; which has a surcharge due to processing time.
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If you have a technical question, a challenging timeframe or a certain finish in mind, our experienced team is here for you. Explore the resources across our site and get in touch to discuss the requirements for your project.