What Is Galvanized Wire?
Galvanized Wire is steel wire that has been coated with zinc plating on drawn mild steel wire.
High corrosion resistance can be expected due to the anti-corrosion effect of the zinc coating.
Uses of Galvanized Wire
Although stainless steel is the other more corrosion-resistant metal, galvanized wire is often chosen for its balance of cost and corrosion resistance.
Galvanized wire is also used in familiar applications, such as wire mesh for fences, packing material for automobile spark plugs, hose clips, wire brushes, and other tools. In civil engineering and construction, it is used in nets to prevent rocks from falling from cliffs, as well as for binding wire for reinforcing bars inside reinforced concrete, and as barbed wire.
Other uses include materials used in the electrical field, such as auxiliary wires supporting electrical cables and submarine power cables, as well as in the agricultural and fishing industries.
It is versatile enough to be used in a wide range of industries and in general life, with specifications that can be selected according to the application.
Features of Galvanized Wire
1. Galvanized Wire (S)
Galvanized wire (S) is made by first cold working mild steel wire. Then the wire is annealed and galvanized. The annealing process softens the wire and improves workability, but reduces strength.
2.Galvanized Wire (H)
Galvanized wire (H) is galvanized without annealing after cold working. It is not as soft, but has superior strength.
Other Information on Galvanized Wire
1. Types of Galvanizing Methods
Hot dip galvanizing method
Hot dip galvanizing is a process in which the material is immersed in a zinc bath at about 450°C to deposit a zinc coating on the surface. The coating is then stabilized by cooling with warm water in a subsequent process.
The alloy layer formed between the zinc coating and the steel substrate bonds the zinc and the steel substrate strongly, so that the plating film does not peel off even after a long period of time, achieving high adhesion.
Electrogalvanization Method
Electrogalvanization is a process in which a zinc coating is deposited on steel materials through a reduction reaction caused by electric current. It is suitable for processing products that require high precision because it can deposit a thinner and more uniform coating than hot dip galvanizing.
Although chromate treatment, which produces a chromium rust-preventive film, is required due to the thin film, it has an advantage in subsequent processing.
Corrosion Resistance Mechanism
Protective coating action
Protective coating action is a phenomenon in which the surface of the zinc coating reacts with oxygen and carbon dioxide to form an oxide film. This film has a dense crystalline structure and is stable and impervious to oxygen and moisture, thus slowing down the corrosion rate.
It can be maintained in water or soil, but if strongly acidic or alkaline substances adhere to it, the oxide film is destroyed and the protective coating action is lost.
Sacrificial Corrosion Protection
Sacrificial corrosion protection is a phenomenon in which the surrounding zinc component becomes the anode and preferentially dissolves even if the galvanized coating is scratched and the underlying iron is exposed. This prevents corrosion of the steel and electrochemically protects the substrate.