Metals left in their natural state are much more resilient to degradation and destruction that organic materials such as wood or even some man-made composite types of materials. With this being said, they will still rust, corrode and break down over time.
A very cost-effective way to protect the surface of any ferrous metal or alloy is to use zinc plating. This is not a new process, but with new technology, it is more efficient, offers greater precision plating options and creates a higher level of corrosion resistance for iron-containing metals.
Low Cost
One of the key reasons that zinc plating is so widely used across a range of industries and applications is the low cost of the process in relation to other plating materials.
The reason that zinc is so cost-effective is that it is plentiful in the earth’s crust. It is also very easy, relatively speaking, to mine and process, which means it is low cost to purchase in the form needed for plating.
It is estimated that approximately 13 million tons of zinc is mined per year with the highest production in China. Additionally, about 30% of the zinc available on the market is recycled, with both new and recycled zinc sold in graded form with the highest purity at 99.995%.
Slows Down Corrosion
With a thin layer of zinc plating, corrosion of the base metal can be dramatically reduced. There is a zinc patina that forms on the metal surface, which is like a protective film over the metal. This film will stop moisture from coming in contact with the base metal, which will help to delay and reduce the formation of rust through the oxidation process.
In addition, zinc also forms a sacrificial type of coating. This means that the zinc itself has to corrode before the base metal. Since zinc is extremely slow to corrode, this extends the life of the base metal significantly as compared to metals that are painted or otherwise coated.
