Electrogalvanization

Electrogalvanizing is a process in which a layer of zinc is bonded to steel in order to protect against corrosion. The process involves electroplating, running a current of electricity through a saline/zinc solution with a zinc anode and steel conductor. Such Zinc electroplating or Zinc alloy electroplating maintains a dominant position among other electroplating process options, based upon electroplated tonnage per annum. According to the International Zinc Association, more than 5 million tons are used yearly for both hot dip galvanizing and electroplating.[1] The plating of zinc was developed at the beginning of the 20th century. At that time, the electrolyte was cyanide based. A significant innovation occurred in the 1960s, with the introduction of the first acid chloride based electrolyte.[2] The 1980s saw a return to alkaline electrolytes, only this time, without the use of cyanide. The most commonly used electrogalvanized cold rolled steel is SECC, acronym of "Steel, Electrogalvanized, Cold-rolled, Commercial quality". Compared to hot dip galvanizing, electroplated zinc offers these significant advantages:

  • Lower thickness deposits to achieve comparable performance
  • Broader conversion coating availability for increased performance and colour options
  • Brighter, more aesthetically appealing, deposits
  1. ^ "Zinc Production Process | Zinc Mining | Hydrometallurgical Process | Pyrometallurgical Process | IZA". Archived from the original on 2011-10-02. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
  2. ^ "Espacenet - Original document".