What is hot-dip galvanizing and why does it matter for steel?
A coating formed in a molten zinc bath protects steel against corrosion for decades. The process, standards and applications.
Hot-dip galvanizing is the process of dipping a steel part into a molten zinc bath at around 450°C so that zinc-iron alloy layers form on its surface. Unlike paint, which only adheres to the surface, it is a protective layer metallurgically bonded to the steel.
Process steps
- Degreasing: removing oil and dirt
- Pickling: removing rust and mill scale
- Rinsing and fluxing: preparing the surface for zinc
- Galvanizing: dipping into molten zinc
- Cooling and inspection: coating thickness and visual checks
Which standards apply?
In Europe and Türkiye the main reference for hot-dip galvanized coatings is EN ISO 1461; in Türkiye TS 914 is also widely used. These standards define minimum coating thickness and quality control methods.
Why it matters
Galvanized coating greatly reduces maintenance for products that work outdoors — waste containers, lighting poles, power line components and steel structures. Having Kimtaş Galvaniz within the group means the coating quality of Akmetal and Vega products is controlled as part of production.
