Galvanization, or
galvanisation, (or
galvanizing as it is most commonly called in that industry), is the process of applying a protective
zinc coating to
steel or
iron, to prevent
rusting. The most common method is
hot-dip galvanizing, in which parts are submerged in a bath of molten zinc. Galvanizing protects in two ways:
- It forms a coating of corrosion-resistant zinc which prevents corrosive substances from reaching the more delicate part of the metal.
- The zinc serves as a sacrificial anode so that even if the coating is scratched, the exposed steel will still be protected by the remaining zinc.