Galvanising Process Explained
Hot dip galvanising protects steel from corrosion through a multi-stage treatment and coating process. The process involves carefully preparing the steel before applying a durable zinc coating designed to deliver long-term corrosion protection with minimal maintenance requirements. At Forfar Galvanisers Limited, each stage is closely controlled by experienced personnel to support consistent, high-quality results.
Forfar Galvanisers are able to omit 2 stages of the traditional galvanising process due to the advanced technology in our plant.
How Does the Hot Dip Galvanising Process Work at FGL?
What does this mean for customers?
Our advanced plant setup allows two traditional process stages to be omitted, supporting a smoother, efficient process while maintaining the high-quality corrosion protection expected from hot dip galvanising.
About to start your project?
If you’re new to galvanising and the FGL plant download our design guide HERE
Our Galvanising Plant Process
Degreasing
Steel surfaces are cleaned to remove oils, grease and contaminants, helping prepare the surface for treatment.
Pickling (HCl)
The steel is treated in acid to remove oxidation and rust, leaving a clean surface ready to react with molten zinc.
Flux
Flux treatment helps prepare the steel surface for galvanising and supports strong adhesion between the steel and zinc coating.
Zinc Bath
Prepared steelwork is immersed in molten zinc at approximately 450°C, where zinc and steel react to form durable alloy layers that create the galvanised coating.
Quench, Inspection & Dispatch
Following galvanising, products are cooled, inspected and prepared for collection or delivery.
What makes the FGL process different?
Traditional galvanising plants may include additional rinse and drying stages between treatments.
Due to advances in technology within the Forfar Galvanisers plant, these stages can be omitted while maintaining controlled processing and coating quality — helping support a smoother, efficient customer experience.
The Coating
When the reaction between iron and zinc has virtually ceased and the article is taken out of the galvanising bath complete with its outer coating of free zinc, the process is complete. In reality there is no demarcation between steel and zinc but a gradual transition through the series of alloy layers which provide the metallurgical bond.
Shotblasting and Powder Coating can be arranged by request.
When should I involve a galvaniser?
While the galvanising process itself is straightforward, decisions made earlier in your project can have a significant impact on efficiency and how galvanising performs in practice.
Find out when you should speak to us
When to Involve a Galvaniser in a Steel Fabrication Project?
Hot dip galvanising is a well-established method of protecting steel from corrosion and is used across a wide range of industries and applications in the UK. While the process itself is straightforward, decisions made earlier in a project can have a significant impact on how galvanising performs in practice.
Find out when you should speak to us
ABOUT US
Forfar Galvanisers, established in 2000, is a leader in the galvanising industry with a team of 18 dedicated staff. The company sets itself apart by employing innovative environmental systems that are unique within the sector. We are committed to delivering industrial efficiency while minimising environmental impact, staying true to our promise of sustainability.
CONTACT US
Forfar Galvanisers Ltd.
Carseview Road,
Forfar,
Scotland,
DD8 3BT
01307 460 222
01307 460 444
