False Galvanization??
False Galvanization??
(OP)
I am currently conducting field reviews for a steel railing installation on a roof. The railings are to be galvanized. Following an initial site review we noticed that the vertical members appear to be galvanized, given the typical "flat" grey colour one would expect for galvanized steel. However, the horizontal rails are a shiny silver colour.
Now, given my inexperience with galvanized steel, my question involves the horizontal members noted above. Is it possible for galvanized steel to appear silver? And if so, could this difference in colour be a result of the base metal?
Note, however, the horizontal and vertical steel members contain the same base metal.






RE: False Galvanization??
RE: False Galvanization??
Also, gray color could be the result of ‘Galvannealing,’ where additional heating has increase formation of Fe-Zn intermetallics. Better re corrosion, worse re flexibility. Have only seen this on sheet material, though.
For all you ever wanted to know about galvanizing, see
The American Galvanizers Association http://www.galvanizeit.org/
The GalvInfo Center http://www.galvinfo.com/
The Galvanizers Association http://www.hdg.org.uk/
RE: False Galvanization??
Good luck finding the specification. Specs rule.