Difference Between Zintec and Galvanised

The key difference between zintec and galvanised is that zintec products are made by electrolysis whereas galvanised products are made by submerging in a molten zinc bath.

The terms zintec and galvanized come under the category of steel. These two are common techniques we can use to make a thin layer on a steel surface, which helps in corrosion resistance. Both these methods involve the application of a thin zinc layer on the steel surface. However, they use different methods for application.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Zintec
3. What is Galvanised
4. Side by Side Comparison – Zintec vs Galvanised in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Zintec?

Zintec is a technique we can use to make a thin zinc layer on a steel product via electrolytic methods. The zinc coating is applied via electrolysis. Therefore, we can also call it zinc plating. Zintec is a trade name.

The thin zinc layer can protect the steel against corrosion. This technique is important when we need a very thin layer of zinc to be applied on the surface. E.g. in the automobile industry, we need to apply some additional decorative coatings of paint on the steel surface. Here, the zintec technique is used; electrogalvanizing.

If our product is a mild steel product, these are usually made as cold rolled sheets or as coiled mild steel. Due to low malleability and low cost, it has become the most used metal alloy in some industries. However, this steel alloy is extremely susceptible to corrosion. In this case, zintec method is a valuable technique since a method such as hot-dip galvanization cannot be applied. This technique will provide a steel surface with a thin zinc layer of about 10-175 microns thick. Thus, this gives a matt gray finish, which is a notable difference from the previous appearance of the mild steel.

Moreover, the protective layer given by the zintec process provides protection during transport, storage, and manufacturing as well. However, it is advised to use the product with a paint coating if it is used in a highly corrosive environment.

What is Galvanised?

Galvanizing is a technique we use to make a thin zinc layer on a steel product via submerging the product on a molten zinc bath. Here, the zinc can act as a sacrificial anode to protect the steel from rusting. That means, if there is a scratch on the zinc layer, the steel is still protected.

We call this method hot-dip galvanization because it uses a molten zinc bath at a high temperature, and the product is dipped in it to get a metal layer applied on the surface of the steel.

What is the Difference Between Zintec and Galvanised?

Zintec and galvanized refer to the application of a thin zinc layer on a steel surface. The key difference between zintec and galvanised is that zintec products are made by electrolysis, whereas galvanized products are made by submerging in a molten zinc bath. When considering mild steel products (because mostly mild steel is used in many industries), the zintec method is more appropriate compared to galvanizing because mild steel is usually supplied as thin sheets and it is unable to get a thin zinc layer on a thin sheet.

Moreover, the zinc layer of zintec method requires more coating with paint if the product is used in highly corrosive environments. However, galvanizing does not require additional coatings because the techniques provide steel with a considerably thick zinc layer. So, this is also a notable difference between zintec and galvanised.

Summary – Zintec vs Galvanised

Zintec and galvanized refer to the application of a thin zinc layer on a steel surface. The key difference between zintec and galvanised is that the zintec products are made by electrolysis, whereas the galvanized products are made by submerging in a molten zinc bath.

Reference:

1. “Zintec & Galvanised Steel Laser Cutting – Yorkshire Profiles.” Yorkshire Profiles Ltd, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Feuerverzinktes Geländer” By TMg – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0 de) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “NailsCloseup” By Raysonho @ Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia