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Damaged Galvanized Steel and Storage

The document discusses the effects of damage to hot-dip galvanized (HDG) steel, specifically regarding the necessity of repairs to scratches caused during transport. It explains that galvanized coatings provide both barrier and cathodic protection, with the latter being influenced by the width of the damaged area, zinc surface activity, and the electrolyte's conductivity. While small scratches may not require repair in mildly corrosive environments, larger damages should be addressed to ensure the longevity of the steel.

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6 views2 pages

Damaged Galvanized Steel and Storage

The document discusses the effects of damage to hot-dip galvanized (HDG) steel, specifically regarding the necessity of repairs to scratches caused during transport. It explains that galvanized coatings provide both barrier and cathodic protection, with the latter being influenced by the width of the damaged area, zinc surface activity, and the electrolyte's conductivity. While small scratches may not require repair in mildly corrosive environments, larger damages should be addressed to ensure the longevity of the steel.

Uploaded by

prabathnilan
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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ASK DR.

· The width of the damaged area;


· Zinc surface activity;
· The electrolyte.

GALV A recent study by Gregory Zhang from TeckCominco


and Anquin Xing from X-Numerical (presented at
Galvatech 2004) evaluated the effects of these variables

Q I have inadvertently damaged some HDG on the cathodic protection distance provided by zinc in a
steel I just received. There appears to be zinc-steel bimetallic couple:
some scratch marks in the coating caused
by rough handling and transport. Should
I repair the scratches, or does the cathodic action of
the zinc coating protect the damaged area?

Depending on the extent of damage, repair may or may


not be necessary. It is a well-known fact that galvanized
coatings provide two forms of corrosion protection:
barrier (like paints), and cathodic (electrochemical). The
immersion of steel in zinc during galvanizing provides a
zinc coating that completely covers the steel and limits Figure 2: Illustration of Protection Distance (PD) and the effect
corrosion by eliminating contact between corrosive of zinc’s cathodic protection.
elements and the steel. The other form of protection that
galvanizing provides — cathodic — is from the The cathodic protection of zinc is limited by the width of
electrochemical nature of zinc and steel. When zinc and the damaged area. The study conducted by Zhang and
steel are in contact, the zinc is the anode and the steel is Xing showed that a critical distance exists signifying the
the cathode. The anode (zinc) protects the cathode maximum distance away from the zinc that it will protect
(steel) by sacrificing itself when the two are in contact in the exposed steel (Figure 2, above). The maximum
the presence of an electrolyte. protection distance found (assuming a thin layer
electrolyte and moderate zinc surface activity) was
slightly greater than 1/4" (7 mm). However, once the
width of the exposed steel increased beyond this
distance, the protection distance decreases to a minimum
of just over 1/8" (4 mm).
The surface activity of the zinc also plays a large role in
determining the width of damaged area that zinc can
cathodically protect. The protection distance increases
as the surface activity of the zinc increases. On the other
hand, when the zinc surface is passive (low activity), the
cathodic protection provided by the zinc is essentially
zero. Therefore, as zinc passivates while exposed to the
environment, the protection distance provided by the
cathodic action of zinc will decrease over time. The
protection distance will decrease due to the decreased
Figure 1: An example of chain marks caused during HDG. surface activity as well as the loss of zinc from the
steel/zinc interface as the zinc sacrifices itself to protect
The cathodic protection of galvanized steel only occurs the exposed steel.
after the barrier has been broken. As in your case, the
damage during shipping and handling has broken the Possibly the most dominant factor in the cathodic
barrier of the HDG coating, which will expose the steel protection that zinc provides to bare steel is the
to the environment. The extent of which the exposed environment to which the galvanized steel will be
steel is protected by the cathodic action of the zinc exposed. The resistance of the electrolyte, or
depends on a number of factors: conductivity, will vary the protection distance provided
(continued, page 9)
6
(Cutting Edge, continued from facing page)

ILZRO will continue as an independent research and development Updated AGA EPA Compliance
organization based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina,
focusing on zinc, lead, and other metals. A proposed new structure Manual Available
will see IZA and a world lead industry organization represent the Content includes:
industry on the ILZRO board, rather than through individual
corporate members. · RCRA & EPCRA
· Underground Storage Tanks
Metals News · Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act
· Stormwater
The North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation
· Department of Transportation
(NACEC) has undertaken a new initiative as part of its upcoming
“Taking Stock” report, focusing on children’s health issues.
Priced at $100, the manual’s main text was reviewed by
Unfortunately, NACEC decided to highlight substances of concern
EPA Region 4 personnel, and offers a galvanizers tips
based on quantities reported in the U.S. TRI and the Canadian
page highlighting and summarizing areas of the most
equivalent, the NPRI, combined with the list of “recognized and
concern to the galvanizer. An appendix is included, offer-
suspected” toxicants listed by Environmental Defense in its “score-
ing reference documents, forms, tables, and definitions,
card.” This list of “suspected” developmental and neuro toxicants
as well as an easily-navigable, bookmarked CD-ROM.
includes just about every metal and even the word “metal” as an
entry. There have been widespread industry objections regarding
This revision of the previous EPA manual was a very
this “scorecard.” Health Canada and the EPA have both expressed
large project requiring substantial amounts of time by all
their reservations to the NACEC. Further information from the Ad
parties involved . . . now it's your turn to cash in on this
Hoc Metals Coalition states that a draft version of the report will be
considerable effort at a very reasonable rate.
available April 13 followed by a 60-day comment period. Both the
Contact Matt Gill (720-554-0900 x21, or via email at
Ad Hoc coalition and the ACC (American Chemistry Council) have
[email protected]) for more information or to order
raised concerns about the scientific and analytical deficiencies in the
this “members-only” manual.
report and are entertaining the idea of a joint approach aimed at the
higher levels of the EPA meeting with acting deputy administrator
Steve Johnson. Additionally the report is based on 2000 TRI data
when 2001 data is available. (Taken from the Ad Hoc Metals
Coalition.)
(Dr. Galv, continued from page 6)

by the zinc. A rule of thumb being, the protection


distance decreases as the electrolyte resistance increases.
When galvanized steel is exposed to salt water
environments, the protection distance is greater than when
exposed to dry climates. The salt water provides better
conductivity and thus a larger area that the zinc can
cathodically protect. However, this larger area of protection
comes at a price. The zinc cathodically protecting the
exposed steel is consumed at a faster rate, thus decreasing
the overall lifetime of the coating. Although the cathodic
protection distance is greater, the consumption of zinc
afforded by this type of protection will ultimately corrode
the coating faster than in a rural, dry environment.
Getting back to your question, repairing any damage to
galvanized steel will increase the overall life of the steel.
However, economically speaking, it might not be
necessary. Small scratches (< 1/8"), in mildly corrosive
climates do not necessarily need to be repaired. The
cathodic protection of the zinc will prevent extensive
corrosion of the steel. In highly corrosive environments,
where corrosion protection is of paramount concern, repairs
should be made to ensure the longest possible Life before galvanizing.
service life for the steel. Large scratches should always
be repaired, regardless of environment. 9

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