The potted history of hot dip galvanizing
“In 1836, Sorel in France took out the first of numerous patents for a process of coating steel by dipping it in molten zinc after first cleaning it. He provided the process with its name ‘galvanizing’."
The history of galvanizing starts over 300 years ago, when an alchemist-come-chemist dreamt up a reason to immerse clean iron into molten zinc and to his amazement, a shimmering silver coating developed onto the iron. This was to become the first step in the genesis of the galvanizing process.
The story of zinc is closely interlinked with that of the history of galvanizing; ornaments made from alloys that contain 80% zinc have been found dating as far back as 2,500 years. Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, has been traced to at least the 10th century BC, with Judean brass found in this period containing 23% zinc.
The famous Indian medical text, Charaka Samhita, written around 500 BC, mentions a metal which when oxidised produced pushpanjan, also known as ‘philosopher’s wool’, thought to be zinc oxide. The text details its use as an ointment for eyes and a treatment for open wounds. Zinc oxide is used to this day, for skin conditions, in calamine creams and antiseptic ointments.
From India, zinc manufacture moved to China in the 17th century and 1743 saw the first European zinc smelter being established in Bristol.
In 1742, a chemist named Melouin presented a paper to the French Royal Academy in which he described how a zinc coating could be obtained on iron by dipping it in molten zinc. Interest in Melouin’s discovery spread quickly through scientific circles and the first application was to use molten zinc as a cheap protective coating for household utensils. These products were fairly well known in parts of France during the second half of the 18th century.
Remarkable history of galvanising
In 1824, Sir Humphrey Davy showed that when two dissimilar metals were connected electrically and immersed in water, the corrosion of one was accelerated while the other received a degree of protection.
From this work he suggested that the copper bottoms of wooden naval ships (the earliest example of practical cathodic protection) could be protected by attaching iron or zinc plates to them. When wooden hulls were superseded by iron and steel, zinc anodes were still used.
In 1829 Henry Palmer of the London Dock Company was granted a patent for ‘indented or corrugated metallic sheets’, his discovery would have a dramatic impact on industrial design and galvanizing.
In 1836, Sorel in France took out the first of numerous patents for a process of coating steel by dipping it in molten zinc after first cleaning it. He provided the process with its name ‘galvanizing’.
Originally, the word galvanizing did not refer to the process of coating but to the fundamental property offered by this coating.
It is interesting to note that Sorel was aware of the electrochemical nature of corrosion and the sacrificial role of the zinc coating on the iron. Originally, the word galvanizing did not refer to the process of coating but to the fundamental property offered by this coating. In addition to Sorel’s patent of 1836, a British patent for a similar process was granted in 1837 to William Crawford.
How long has galvanizing been around?
Although uncertain, the first use of galvanized corrugated iron is believed to be for the Navy at Pembroke Docks, Wales in 1844.
By 1850, the British galvanizing industry was using 10,000 tonnes of zinc a year for the protection of iron. This period also saw the invention of an engineered material that would help to embed ‘galvanizing’ into the language of people across the entire globe.
One further notable use of galvanized corrugated iron is that of its use during the first and second world wars in the form of Nissen Huts. The idea came to an American born engineer serving with the Royal Engineers stationed at Ypres in 1916. Having experienced problems with lack of billets for soldiers, Lieutenant Norman Nissen envisioned a semicircular form composed of corrugated iron sheets supported on a steel frame. His design would be used throughout both wars creating an indelible link in the English psyche to the material and the hardships connected with war.
History of Galvanizing Timeline
PJ Melouin presented a paper at the French Royal Academy where he described a coating could be used in iron by dipping in molten zinc.
French engineer Stanislaus Tranquille Modeste Sorel took out a patent for the early galvanizing process. One year later a similar British patent was granted to William Crawford.
Every year over 600,000 tonnes of steel are protected by hot dip galvanizing in the UK and Ireland.
Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, has been traced to at least the 10th century BC
Michael Faraday discovered zinc’s sacrificial action during an experiment involving zinc, salt water, and nails coining the term
‘galvanization’
The British galvanizing industry was using 10,000 tonnes of zinc a year for the protection of iron.
History of Galvanizing Timeline
Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, has been traced to at least the 10th century BC
PJ Melouin presented a paper at the French Royal Academy where he described a coating could be used in iron by dipping in molten zinc.
Michael Faraday discovered zinc’s sacrificial action during an experiment involving zinc, salt water, and nails coining the term
‘galvanization’
French engineer Stanislaus Tranquille Modeste Sorel took out a patent for the early galvanizing process.
The United States had its first galvanizing plant open in 1870. At the time, the steel was hand dipped in the zinc bath.
Over 600,000 tons. of zinc is consumed annually in North America for hot-dip galvanized steel. Galvanizing is found in every major industry where iron or steel is used.
Galvanizing today
Galvanized steel is all around us and plays a vital role in our everyday lives. It is used in construction, transport, agriculture, power transmission and everywhere that good corrosion protection and long life are essential. It, for instance, helps light our roads (lighting columns) and provide power for our homes, hospitals and offices (high voltage pylons) There are many other important industries that make use of galvanizing.
- 41% Construction
- 22% Street and outdoor furniture
- 12% Agriculture and Horticulture
- 9% Transport infrastructure
- 8% Utilities
- 3% Industrial plant and equipment
- 2% Storage & Handling
- 2% Fastenings
- 1% Miscellaneous
Just imagine that a new anti-corrosion product is being launched today which offers quick turnaround, off-site application, coverage both externally and internally within hollow sections and a coating metallurgically bonded to the steel substrate. Not only that, it self-repairs in small areas when damaged, it sacrifices itself to protect the base metal, and is environmentally sustainable. It has good impact and abrasion-resistance and in most atmospheric environments it offers a maintenance-free life of 60 years or more.
A coating system with this list of high-tech properties already exists, but the suppositions of many about its price and availability are wide of the mark.
It is not a brand new product, in fact, it has been around for over 150 years and, remarkably, it costs less than a good paint system. It is of course, hot dip galvanizing. See how long a hot dip galvanized coating lasts in your area.
Recent reductions in the aggressiveness of the atmosphere towards zinc, and the stability of costs of applying the coating mean that hot dip galvanizing today is still cost-effective and lasts over multiple lifecycles. There are almost 60 hot dip galvanizing plants in the UK and Ireland.
Zinc – the essential raw material for hot dip galvanizing – is a highly recyclable metal which is vital for human health and ecosystems. See why zinc is sustainable.
Advancements in metallurgy and furnace technology have improved process efficiency and the sustainable credentials of galvanizing.
The Galvanizers Association Galvanizing Awards (GAGA Construction Awards) is a free annual competition which has been recognising the use of galvanizing since 1994.
The GAGAs have always encouraged and awarded artworks that show exceptional innovation, engineering and craftsmanship in galvanized steel; from installation pieces and site-specific works, to more traditional sculpture and detailed metalwork.
If you used galvanizing in your project, do not hesitate to enter. Read more about the construction awards.
How long will galvanizing last in your area?
Is Galvanized Steel a solution for the Circular Economy?
