Most of the fasteners, engineered steel hangers, steel connector plates and door parts in pole barns use galvanized steel. These galvanized pole barn components resist corrosion, or rust.
Corrosion is a natural process that happens over time when steel meets the environment. However, galvanization can slow it down.
What Is Galvanization?
Galvanization means coating steel with a layer of zinc to slow down corrosion. Zinc rusts more easily than steel. However, it also rusts at a much slower rate.
As a result, the steel stays safe from rust for a long time. There are two types of galvanization.
Types of Galvanization
The first type is continuous galvanization. A steel ribbon moves through a zinc bath at very high speed. In fact, it stays in the bath for just two to four seconds. Then, after galvanizing, the factory shapes the steel into a product.
This process only works for thin, flexible steel sheets, because the steel has to stay flexible so it can take shape later. So factories use continuous galvanization to make roofing and siding sheets.
The second type is batch galvanization, also called after-fabrication galvanization. Here, workers dip the steel in a bath of molten zinc after it takes its final shape. This process is slower than continuous galvanizing. However, it works with metal in any shape.
Making Galvanized Pole Barn Components
The galvanization process has three steps. First, the steel goes through three cleaning baths. A caustic cleaner removes dirt and grease.
Next, a water bath rinses the steel. Then a pickling acid, such as hydrochloric or sulfuric acid, removes rust and mill scale. After that, another water rinse follows.
Then the steel soaks in a flux solution. This removes any oxidation that formed after the pickling step. It also prevents more oxidation.
Finally, the steel goes into a galvanizing bath of at least 98 percent molten zinc, heated to around 850 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the steel reaches the bath’s temperature, the zinc reacts with the iron in the steel. As a result, it forms protective layers. This usually takes less than 10 minutes.
After that, the steel goes through a post-treatment process. For example, one of the most common methods soaks the steel in a quench tank to form a protective layer.
Get a Quote for a Pole Barn Today
Galvanized steel is important for a durable, long-lasting pole barn. That’s why CHA Pole Barns uses the highest-quality materials, including galvanized pole barn components, to build pole barns that last. To get an estimate on a new pole barn, contact us today.
