Galvanized iron and galvanized steel have some differences in material properties, application areas and processing capabilities.
First, in terms of material composition, galvanized iron is a low-carbon steel sheet coated with zinc on the surface; its thickness generally varies between 0.44 to 1.2 millimeters, with a zinc layer thicker than 0.02 millimeters.
Galvanized steel, on the other hand, is a steel plate welded with a surface layer of hot-dip galvanized or galvanized zinc, which can be divided into ordinary electrolytic plates and fingerprint-resistant electrolytic plates. This indicates that galvanized iron is mainly made of low-carbon steel, while galvanized steel can incorporate different types of steel, such as common steel or steel treated in a specific way.
Secondly, in terms of corrosion resistance and ductility, galvanized iron is practically resistant to rust and has strong corrosion resistance and ductility. Galvanized steel plates can effectively prevent steel corrosion, prolonging its service life, and have excellent paintability, decorativeness and good formability. This implies that although both have good rustproof capabilities, galvanized steel plates perform better in terms of decorativeness and formability.
Finally, looking at the carbon content, galvanized steel wire contains a carbon content of 0.40-0.80%, while galvanized iron wire has a carbon content of 0.05-0.25%. This difference results in variations in their strength; Due to its higher carbon content, galvanized steel wire has relatively higher strength.
1. Galvanized Iron vs Galvanized Steel
1. Difference in meaning
Galvanized iron is a type of low-carbon steel sheet coated with zinc on the surface. Its basic thickness is generally 0.44~1.2mm, and the thickness of the zinc layer is also more than 0.02mm.
Galvanized iron sheet can be divided into flat sheet and corrugated (corrugated) sheet.
Non-galvanized sheet is commonly known as black iron sheet.
Galvanized steel sheet is a type of welded steel sheet with galvanized or hot-dip zinc coating on the surface.
Galvanized steel plate can be divided into ordinary electrolytic plate and fingerprint-resistant electrolytic plate.
Fingerprint-resistant plate is mainly based on ordinary electrolytic plate for additional fingerprint-resistant treatment, which can resist sweat and is generally used on parts without any treatment.
Common electrolytic plate can be divided into phosphating plate and passivation plate.
2. Differences in characteristics
Galvanized iron sheet basically does not rust easily and has strong corrosion resistance and strong ductility.
Galvanized steel plate can effectively prevent steel corrosion, extend the service life, and has excellent paintability, decoration, formability, heat conduction and heat reflection.
3. Difference in usage
Galvanized iron sheet is a kind of iron-wound material widely used in industry, manufacturing and other industries. It is often used to manufacture roofs, coils and various containers.
Galvanized steel sheet is widely used in construction, vehicles, household appliances, daily necessities, light industry, agriculture, transportation and other industries.
2. Type of galvanized steel sheet
1. Hot dip galvanized steel sheet
Dip the steel plate into the molten zinc bath to make its surface adhere to the zinc plate.
At present, it is also basically produced by a continuous galvanizing process, which can continuously dip the rolled steel sheet into the molten zinc bath to make galvanized steel sheet;
2. Alloyed galvanized steel sheet
Furthermore, this type of steel plate is basically manufactured by a hot-dip method, but it can be heated to about 500℃ immediately after leaving the tank, which is also an alloy coating that can cause it to produce zinc and iron.
This type of galvanized sheet also has very good coating adhesion and weldability;
3. Electrogalvanized steel sheet
Galvanized steel sheet is mainly manufactured by electroplating method, which basically has particularly good processing performance.
However, the coating is relatively thin, and its corrosion resistance is not as good as that of hot-dip galvanized sheet;
4. Single-sided galvanized steel plate and double-sided differential galvanized steel plate
One-sided galvanized steel sheet, i.e. products that are galvanized on one side only.
It has better adaptability than double-sided galvanized sheet in welding, coating, anti-rust treatment, processing, etc.
To overcome the deficiency of single side without zinc coating, there is another type of galvanized sheet coated with thin layer of zinc on the other side, that is, double-sided differential galvanized sheet;
5. Alloy and composite galvanized steel plate
It mainly uses zinc and other metals such as lead and zinc to make alloys and even composite-coated steel plates.
This type of steel plate not only has excellent anti-rust performance, but also has good coating performance.
3. Corrosion resistance properties of galvanized iron and galvanized steel comparison
Comparison of the corrosion resistance properties of galvanized iron and galvanized steel under various environmental conditions mainly depends on the zinc coating on their surface. This zinc layer effectively prevents corrosion, oxidation and erosion. However, due to the inherent differences in the materials, they exhibit different corrosion resistance properties under various environmental conditions.
For galvanized iron, galvanized galvanized iron wires have lower zinc content, which makes them prone to rusting in the presence of rainwater or moisture. On the other hand, hot-dip galvanized iron wires, with a higher zinc layer content, offer better corrosion resistance. This suggests that in humid environments, hot-dip galvanized iron exhibits superior corrosion resistance compared to galvanized galvanized iron.
The situation is slightly different for galvanized steel. The corrosion resistance service life of hot-dip galvanized steel gratings mainly depends on the thickness of the zinc layer, which can vary greatly under different usage conditions. For example, in dry air, hot-dip galvanized steel grating demonstrates good corrosion resistance, while in extremely humid conditions, zinc coating may corrode when coming into contact with aluminum or stainless steel. Furthermore, passivation treatment can significantly increase the corrosion resistance of galvanized sheets, making them suitable for use in harsh environmental conditions.
The corrosion resistance properties of galvanized iron and galvanized steel under different environmental conditions are influenced by several factors, including the type of galvanization (galvanized or hot-dip galvanized), thickness and whether passivation treatment has been applied. In generally dry environments, both offer good corrosion resistance. However, in specific humid or chemical environments, hot-dip galvanized materials typically exhibit greater corrosion resistance, especially when considering the passivation treatment. Therefore, the choice of material should be determined based on the environment and specific usage requirements.
4. Resistance differences between galvanized steel wire and galvanized iron wire
What are the resistance differences between galvanized steel wire and galvanized iron wire and how do they affect their applications?
The difference in strength between galvanized steel wire and galvanized iron wire mainly lies in their carbon content. Steel wire has higher carbon content, thus possessing greater strength and better toughness, while iron wire has lower carbon content, making it comparatively weaker and softer. This difference in strength determines their respective fields of application.
Galvanized steel wire, with its high strength, excellent toughness and corrosion resistance, has a wide range of applications in the automotive, power, energy and agricultural sectors. Especially in harsh environmental conditions such as farms and wire rope manufacturing, galvanized steel wire is widely used because of its smooth, clean surface and anti-corrosion properties. Furthermore, with the advancement of urbanization, the use of galvanized steel wire in the construction, energy and communications industries is also increasing.
On the other hand, galvanized iron wire, due to its lower strength and softer nature, is more commonly used for light applications in everyday life such as bundling items. Although the tensile strength standard for galvanized iron wire is 295-540MPa, compared to galvanized steel wire, it falls short in applications that require greater strength and durability.
The significant difference in strength between galvanized steel wire and galvanized iron wire directly influences the choice of its application in different fields. Galvanized steel wire, with its high strength and excellent performance characteristics, plays a crucial role in many important industries and sectors, while galvanized iron wire is more often used in everyday situations where high strength is not a requirement.
5. Cost-Benefit Analysis of Galvanized Iron and Galvanized Steel
When comparing the long-term usage costs of galvanized iron and galvanized steel, several factors need to be considered, including initial costs, maintenance expenses, service life, and the impact of environmental factors on corrosion rates.
Firstly, looking at the initial costs, the choice of material (iron or steel) in the galvanizing process can lead to some cost differences. However, this discrepancy is not significant enough to represent the overall expenditure.
Secondly, maintenance costs are another crucial consideration. Evidence suggests that maintenance costs for galvanized systems can vary significantly depending on the system. Specifically, hot-dip galvanizing corrosion protection projects are distinguished by long-term economic benefits, especially with rising wages, painting and repair costs will continually increase, demonstrating the excellence of hot-dip galvanizing.
Third, service life is also a critical measure for evaluating cost-effectiveness. Hot-dip galvanizing is more expensive than cold galvanizing because it requires greater energy consumption to form a zinc-iron alloy layer, which results in a longer service life. Additionally, the service life of galvanized steel plates can be affected by environmental factors such as sulfur dioxide gas or salt, particularly in industrial areas or coastal regions where corrosion rates are accelerated.
Finally, the impact of environmental factors on corrosion rates cannot be ignored. For example, during the rainy season, coatings subject to prolonged exposure to rainwater can accelerate corrosion rates, thus affecting service life.
Although there may be differences in the initial costs of galvanized iron and galvanized steel, from a long-term usage cost perspective, hot-dip galvanizing, due to its superior corrosion resistance and longer service life, has an advantage in maintenance costs and overall economic benefits. . Therefore, considering long-term usage costs, hot-dip galvanizing may be a more economical choice. However, specific selection must still be made based on the actual application scenario and environmental conditions.
6. Choosing between galvanized iron and galvanized steel
Project requirements
When selecting material for a project, it is essential to consider specific requirements. Galvanized iron, commonly used in water pipes and general purpose applications, is known for its good corrosion resistance and high flexibility. However, it may not be as suitable for heavy-duty, outdoor, or load-bearing applications.
On the other hand, galvanized steel offers superior strength and durability. This material is often used in structural, automotive and exterior construction projects due to its strength and resilience. It is important to thoroughly evaluate project demands, such as weight-bearing capacity, exposure to the elements, and longevity, before deciding on the appropriate material.
Budget constraints
Both galvanized iron and galvanized steel provide excellent corrosion resistance; however, the cost can vary significantly. Galvanized iron tends to be more affordable than galvanized steel, making it an attractive option for projects on a budget. When considering budget constraints, it is essential to weigh the pros and cons of each material:
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Galvanized iron :
- Pros : Affordable, corrosion-resistant, and flexible
- Cons : Lower strength, not suitable for heavy-duty applications
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Galvanized steel :
- Pros : Strong, durable, suitable for heavy-duty applications
- Cons : More expensive than galvanized iron
In summary, the choice between galvanized iron and galvanized steel depends on specific project requirements and budgetary constraints. Galvanized iron may be a preferable choice for general-purpose applications, while galvanized steel works best when strength and durability are required.
