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    Corrosion protectionof rolled steel sections using hot-dip galvanization

    Long Carbon EuropeSections and Merchant Bars

    ArchitectsClaudeVasconi&JeanPetit-ChamberofCommerceLuxembourg

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    Contents

    1

    Foreword 3

    1. Risk o corrosion and protection period 5

    2. Corrosion protection methods 8

    3. Hot-dip galvanizing 10

    4. Characteristics o hot-dip galvanizing o steel structures 17

    5. Requirements or materials 21

    6. Requirements o structures suitable or hot-dip galvanizing 25

    7. Requirements or the abrication o steel structures 31

    8. Requirements or hot-dip galvanizing 33

    9. Duplex systems 35

    10. Cost eectiveness 37

    Reerences 39

    Technical advisory & fnishing 42

    Your partners 43

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    Dren Car Park, Germany

    CourtesyofVollackManagementGmbH,Germany

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    Foreword

    When it comes to choosing materials, steel,

    because o its exceptional physical and

    mechanical characteristics, is the most popularamongst designers. It can be used to rapidly

    build economical, durable, and sae structures.

    The steel used to make hot-rolled sections,

    which can themselves be indenitely recycled,

    is made rom recycled scrap. It is particularly

    suitable or machining and shaping. However, it

    tends to react with agents in the atmosphere

    to orm stable thermodynamic bonds errous

    oxides and/or salts.

    The ability o steel to revert to its natural or

    original state is called corrosion.

    In laymans terms: steel rusts!

    The primary quality o steel i.e. its ability to

    retain its physical and mechanical strength, or

    in the case o a steel structure, its load bearing

    capacity, is generally long-lasting and is only

    compromised when corrosion reduces its cross

    section to such a degree that saety is adversely

    aected.

    The service lie o a structure depends on

    the rate o reaction between the steel and itsenvironment. These reactions depend on the

    nature and concentration o the corrosive agents

    present.

    Corrosion protection o structures must

    thereore be considered as intervening in this

    process in order to prevent the reaction or

    greatly reduce the rate.

    Large numbers o steel structures, some

    o them a hundred years old, which have

    beneted rom the combination o a suitablecorrosion protection treatment and regular

    maintenance, show impressively the potential

    o steel. However, these types o structures,

    requiring high maintenance costs, are no longer

    acceptable today.

    New requirements govern the design o the

    steel structures o the twenty-rst century:

    l Environmental protection policies enorced

    at both the national and international level

    have lead to a considerable reduction in the

    amount o corrosive load in the atmosphere

    over the last twenty years. This has

    resulted in a noticeable drop in the average

    corrosion rate o steel and zinc as well as

    improved resistance o coating systems.

    l The design o steel structures is substantially

    improved through the eectiveness o

    welding procedures and the vast range o

    rolled sections available thus contributing

    positively to ensure that corrosion protection

    systems have long service lives. Maintenance

    and renovation costs continue to all becausethe amount o exposed surace area has

    been greatly reduced and ease o access

    improved. The ability o new coatings to

    resist the stresses in their surroundings

    has been increased considerably. New

    inexpensive coating methods are employed in

    abrication shops and on construction sites.

    l Zinc baths have suicient capacity and

    are large enough to allow widespread

    hot-dip galvanization o steel structuresinvolving large components.

    l Combining the hot-dip galvanization

    technique with adapted paint systems or

    zinc coatings - so called duplex systems

    renders maintenance unnecessary with,

    in most cases, the corrosion protection

    not requiring any attention or the

    entire service lie o the structure.

    l Corrosion protection is becoming

    an integral part o the abrication

    process or steel structures.

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    Erco high rack warehouse, Ldenscheid, Germany

    ArchitectsSchneid

    er+Schumacher

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    1. Risk of corrosion and protection period

    1. Risk of corrosion

    The risk o corrosion o steel structuresemanates rom the surrounding atmospheric

    conditions.

    The nature and extent o any corrosion is linked

    to the amount o time that metal suraces are

    exposed to moisture and to the amount o air

    pollution.

    The exposure time to moisture, which is the

    amount o time that the relative humidity o the

    air is > 80% at an ambient temperature of >0C,

    is the main determinant as regards atmosphericcorrosion and corrosion rate o metals.

    The absence o moisture considerably slows

    down the corrosion rate o steel and zinc even in

    the presence o high concentrations o gaseous

    (SO2, NOx etc) or solid polluters (dust containing

    aggressive particles).

    Over the last ew years, the complex inluence

    o atmospheric polluters on the corrosion rate o

    unprotected structural steel and zinc has beenanalysed as part o several European research

    programmes [1].

    The result o this work has led to the drating

    o the standard ISO 9223 Corrosion o metals

    and alloys Corrosivity o atmospheres

    Classiication. The basic inormation containing

    the classiications or the corrosivity o

    atmospheres and the corrosion rates o plain

    carbon steel, zinc, copper, and aluminium,

    determined as a unction o the corrosive load,

    is suiciently accurate to allow the protection

    period o paints and zinc coatings to be

    calculated in a practical ashion.

    This standard was also used as the basis or

    the classiication o the corrosivity o ambient

    atmospheric conditions in EN ISO 12994-2.

    EN ISO 12944 characterises atmospheric

    conditions in the orm o corrosivity categories

    based on igures o the loss o mass or thicknessper unit surace area o steel or zinc during the

    irst year o exposure to dierent atmospheric

    conditions (Table 1).

    Examples o characteristic ambient conditions

    help to assign the appropriate corrosivity

    category to the structures and acilitate

    the determination o the required corrosion

    protection, by emphasising the protection

    period.

    Apart rom unusual circumstances, this method

    allows a suiciently reliable assessment to be

    made o the corrosive load or the majority o

    steel structures.

    Corrosion riskcategory

    Loss o thickness o zinc

    in the

    frst year (m)*

    Examples o typical environments

    External Internal

    C 1 Very low Less than 0.1 Isolated building. Relative humidity o air:

    less than 60%

    C 2 Low 0.1 0 .7Slightly polluted atmosphere,

    dry climate e.g. rural areas

    Non-isolated building with temporary water

    condensation e.g. warehouses, sports halls

    C 3 medium 0.7 2.1

    Urban or industrial atmosphere with low

    level o SO2 pollution or coastal areas with

    low salinity

    Premises characterised by high relative

    humidity o the air and impurities, e.g.

    breweries, laundries, diaries

    C 4 high 2.1 4.2Industrial or coastal atmosphere with low

    salinitySwimming pools, chemical actories

    C 5 Very high I 4.2 8.4Industrial atmosphere with considerable

    humidity and aggressive atmospheresBuildings or areas with almost

    continuous water condensation and high

    levels o pollutionC 5 Very high M 4.2 8.4 Coastal area with high salinity

    * can also be expressed in loss o mass (g/m2)

    Table 1 Risk o corrosion - Classiication o ambient conditions according to EN ISO 12994-2.

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    The levels o airborne SO2 are measured at numerous locations in Europe.

    European research has also allowed the relationship between the corrosion

    rate o zinc, the levels o airborne SO2 and the wetting time / amount orainall, to be analysed [2].

    The loss o zinc as a unction o the concentration o airborne SO2 has

    been plotted on a graph on the basis o this research (Figure 1). This

    shows a simpliied, but perectly useable version or determining the

    corrosivity category according to EN ISO 129442, on the basis o the

    igures available or SO2 concentrations [g/m3] at various locations.

    However, it should be emphasised that the corrosivity category

    determined in this way characterises the corrosive load at the

    macroclimatic level. Particular microclimatic eatures, perhaps deriving

    rom emission sources in the vicinity o the steel structures, or the use o

    an unsuitable design or ensuring corrosion protection, are not included

    and must be speciied by the owner, or example, in the case o structures

    built or the chemical industry.

    In Europe, the considerable reduction in the amount o airborne SO2 has

    resulted in a substantial decrease in the corrosive load. The average annual

    corrosion rate o zinc or 1992/1993 was 8 g/m2 or 1.1m [3]. These

    igures are still valid today.

    Figure 1 Loss o zinc as a unction o SO2 pollution (according to Knotkova/Porter)

    Loss o zinc/year [m]

    Average annual igure o sulphur dioxide [g/m3]

    0

    100 20 30 40 50 60

    0,5

    1

    1,5

    2

    2,5

    3

    ArchitectsHelmutJahn-PhotoK.Idelberger

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    2. Protection period

    The protection period o coatings is deined in EN ISO 12944-1 as theexpected service lie up until the moment where the system needs

    attention or the irst time.

    EN ISO 14713 deines the protection period up until attention is irst

    needed o zinc coatings as being the time between the application o the

    irst coating and the moment when it irst needs maintenance in order to

    ensure the protection o the base material.

    The protection period is a vital actor when selecting and deining

    corrosion protection systems. This technical concept helps the owner o

    the structure to speciy his maintenance schedule.

    The protection period is not a guarantee period. Generally, the guarantee

    period, a legal concept, is shorter than the protection period. There is no

    link between these two concepts.

    Nowadays, it is possible to imagine corrosion protection not requiring any

    or hardly no attention or the entire service lie o hot-dip galvanized steel

    structures, even i exposed to poor weather conditions.

    The protection period o a zinc coating depends mainly, or a given

    corrosive load, on the thickness o the applied coat. Figure 4 uses the

    igures or loss o thickness o zinc indicated in Table 1 to show the

    relationship between the protection period / the thickness o the zinc

    coat and the corrosive load. It can be generally assumed that there is auniorm loss o zinc across the entire coated surace. I we consider the

    macroclimatic corrosive charge o category C3, currently valid in Europe,

    and characterised by a zinc loss o between 0.7 and 2.1 m during the

    irst year, we obtain a protection period o at least 40 years or a minimum

    zinc coat thickness o 85 m, as speciied in EN ISO 1461 (Table 3) or

    steel product thicknesses o >6 mm.

    Protection period (years)

    Thickness o the zinc coating [m]

    We have to once again state that the protection period determined in

    accordance with the method above is only valid or the corrosive loads

    considered at the macroclimatic level.

    Special microclimatic eatures and higher loads particular to the structure,

    such as an accumulation o dust with a prolonged exposure to moisture

    can considerably reduce the protection period.

    It is now possible, as a result of the clear definition of ambient atmospheric

    conditions - corrosivity categories - and access to measurements used as

    the basis or calculating the protection period, to properly design suitable

    corrosion protection systems in accordance with EN ISO 12944-5 and

    EN ISO 1461.

    Figure 2 Protection period o zinc coatings as a unction o the thickness o the coatand the corrosive load

    200 40 60 80 100 120 140

    C5

    100

    80

    60

    40

    20

    0

    C4

    C3

    C2

    C1

    Santiago-Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain

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    2. Corrosion protection methods

    ArchitectsEstudio

    Lamela-PhotoEstudioLamela,FranciscoPabloLaso

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    When considering the corrosion protection o

    steel structures, a distinction is made between

    active and passive measures.

    Active corrosion protection aims at preventing

    corrosion or reducing the rate o the corrosion

    reaction by:

    l interering in the corrosion process,

    e.g. reducing air pollution

    l choosing a suitable material, e.g. using

    corrosion resistant materials

    l using detailing appropriate or

    corrosion protection

    The goal o passive corrosion protection is

    to shield the steel surace rom corrosive

    substances.

    Due to their broad range o application

    possibilities and their eiciency, the ollowing

    methods dominate the corrosion protection osteel structures:

    l coatings based on liquid or powder coatings

    l metallic coatings (zinc, aluminum or

    zinc-/aluminum alloys) applied by hot-

    dip galvanization or thermal spraying

    l combination o metallic coatings

    and paint systems

    Optimal corrosion protection is achieved

    by combining active and passive corrosion

    protection methods, based on the appropriatedetailing prior to the application o the passive

    corrosion protection.

    In the ollowing, the most eicient passive

    corrosion protection method or steel structures,

    namely hot-dip galvanizing, will be presented

    together with material-, design- and process-

    related requirements.

    Santiago-Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain

    Cognac-Jay Foundation, Rueil-Malmaison, France

    ArchitectsJeanNouvel&DidierBrault-PhotoPhilippeRuault

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    3. Hot-dip galvanizing

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    1. Method

    Hot-dip galvanization is the application o zincor iron/zinc alloy coatings by immersing the

    prepared steel in molten zinc.

    A distinction must be made between:

    l the continuous method (or sheets, wire

    rod, etc.),

    l the discontinuous method (or sections,

    structural elements, and small parts).

    Only the discontinuous method in accordancewith EN ISO 1461 may be used or steel

    structures.

    It is essential or hot-dip galvanizing, namely

    the iron-zinc reaction, that the steel surace to

    be galvanized shall be metallically clean, i.e. ree

    rom grease, rust and scale.

    This high level o surace preparation level Be

    according to EN ISO 12944-4 is achieved by

    irst conditioning the material to be galvanizedin acid or alkali degreasing baths, then pickling

    in diluted hydrochloric acid, ollowed by luxing.

    When the part to be galvanized is immersed in

    the zinc bath (between 440 and 460C), the

    lux, which is usually a mixture o zinc chloride

    and ammonium chloride, protects the metallic

    surace and improves its wettability as regards

    the molten zinc.

    Zinc is the main component o the zinc bath,

    and the total amount o additional elements

    (with the exception o iron and tin) shall not

    exceed the sum o 1.5%.

    The cleansed and luxed part can be dried prior

    to galvanization in an oven at temperatures

    between 80 and 100C.

    During immersion in the zinc bath, layers o

    iron-zinc alloys build up on the surace o the

    steel element which are generally covered with

    a coat o pure zinc upon removal rom the bath.

    Figure 3 Principle o the discontinuous galvanization process

    The speed o the iron-zinc reaction depends on

    the galvanizing parameters and the chemical

    composition o the steel, particularly its siliconand phosphorus content. Reactive steels

    build up thick layers o iron-zinc alloys and the

    residual heat in the galvanized material can even

    transorm the pure zinc coat into a coat o iron-

    zinc alloy.

    This reaction can be interrupted or slowed down

    considerably by an immediate quenching o the

    galvanized part in a water bath.

    Figure 3 schematically represents the principle of

    the discontinuous galvanization process.

    Degreasing bath Pickling bathRinsing bath Flux bath Drying oven Zinc bath Water bathRinsing bath

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    2. The iron-zinc reaction

    Nowadays, the usual structural steels arebasically all suitable or hot-dip galvanizing.

    However, they possess individual characteristics

    which inluence the result o the galvanizing

    process.

    Hot-dip galvanizing is a reaction between the

    surace o steel and molten zinc which results in

    a zinc coating whose thickness and appearance

    are basically determined by the chemical

    composition o the steel and the galvanization

    parameters (zinc bath temperature, immersiontime). The surace condition o the steel element

    may also inluence the result o galvanization.

    The behaviour o steels during galvanization can

    be divided into our groups on the basis o their

    Si and P contents (Table 2).

    The steels o the ArcelorMittal long products are

    o the Sebisty type and have typically a silicon

    content o between 0.15% and 0.25%, and a

    phosphorous content o less than 0.040%.

    There are overlaps between the groups,inluenced by the temperature o the zinc bath.

    The iron-zinc reaction also depends on the

    topography o the steels surace, especially

    when using steels in the transition range

    between the ones with a low Si and P content

    and the ones rom the Sandelin group,. This may

    result in local or widespread variations in the

    thickness and appearance o the zinc coat.

    Similar appearances can also be caused by local

    thermal stresses at the surace o the steel,

    as happens during oxygen-cutting or lamestraightening. Here, the cause is probably due to

    localised changes o the chemical composition in

    the heat aected zone close to the surace as a

    result o the oxidation o the so-called reactive

    elements in the steel (i.e. Si, P), which loose thus

    their inluence on the iron-zinc reaction.

    The variation in the galvanization behaviour o

    welds vs. adjacent steel suraces is the result o

    dierences in the chemical composition o the

    welding consumables and the base material. The

    zinc coating on grinded suraces o welds may

    also be thicker or have a dierent appearance

    with regard to adjacent areas.

    Generally, blast-cleaned suraces, i.e. sand or

    shot blasted prior to galvanization, react aster

    on contact with molten zinc, resulting in thicker

    zinc layers when compared to steel suraces that

    are simply pickled.

    Unevenness and imperections in the steel

    surace deriving rom rolling, straightening and

    other processes are usually not smoothed out

    by the zinc coating, in most cases, they are evenvisually ampliied.

    Galvanizers have very ew means at their

    disposal or inluencing the quality o the zinc

    coating, which depends mainly on the chemicalcomposition o the steel.

    Theoretically, it is possible to inluence the

    thickness o the zinc coat by controlling the

    immersion time, the chemical composition

    and the melting temperature o the zinc

    bath. As shown in Figure 4, there is however

    no consistent relationship between these

    parameters

    The thickness o the zinc coat increases

    with temperature up to a Si + P content o

    approximately 0.12%. Beyond this point, the

    relationship is reversed up to a Si + P content o

    0.27%; in case o Sebisty steels, the thickness

    o the zinc coat decreases with an increase in

    the bath temperature. It then increases again

    with an increase in the melting temperature o

    the zinc rom a Si + P content o approximately

    0.27% and more.

    Group silicon + phosphorous [%] Zinc coating

    1 Steel with low

    Si + P content< 0.03

    Silvery bright, zinc spangles, thin

    coat

    2 Sandelin steels 0.03 < 0.13Grey, sometimes granular, very

    thick coat

    3 Sebisty steels0.13 < 0.28 Silvery bright to pale grey, coat o

    average thickness coat

    4 Steel with high

    Si + P content 0.28 Pale grey, very thick coat

    Table 2 Classiication o the galvanization behaviour o structural steels according to their silicon and phosphoruscontents.

    3. Hot-dip galvanizing

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    3. Adhesion capacity of zinc coatings

    In accordance with EN ISO 1461, adhesionbetween the zinc coating and the substrate does

    not normally need to be tested, because zinc

    coatings have adequate adherence or resisting

    mechanical impacts during normal handling

    operations and use without spalling or laking

    o.

    I adhesion needs to be checked, e.g. in the case

    o parts exposed to high mechanical stresses,

    impact or notch tests may be perormed.

    However, there is no European standard or thetesting o adhesion.

    The methods routinely employed, such as

    the cross-hatch test, ASTM hammer test

    (ASTM A 123) and the impact tests in

    accordance with DIN 50978, are restricted to a

    maximum coat thickness o approximately 150

    m, and provide only qualitative inormation.

    Moreover, these methods mainly assess the

    ductility and sensitivity to scaling o zinc

    coatings rather than their adhesion capability.

    The modiied test method used or organic

    coatings i.e. Tear o test to assess adhesion

    capability in accordance with EN ISO 26624[5] allows the adhesion o zinc coatings to be

    determined with statistical reliability up to

    45 MPa.

    These characteristic adhesion values indicate

    the tensile strength or uplit resistance o

    zinc coatings, which, in conjunction with the

    (adhesive or cohesive) ailure patterns, enable

    the assessment o their adhesion capacity.

    With the exception o Sebisty steels, measured

    average values or the adhesion o zinc coatings

    in accordance with EN ISO 1461 are generally

    greater than 20 MPa. The values or Sebisty

    steels vary rom 10 to 18 MPa.

    Appropriate tests have conirmed the indication

    given in EN ISO 1461 stating that undamaged

    zinc coatings have suicient adhesion [6].

    3. Hot-dip galvanizing

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    4. Repair of damaged zinc coatings

    In accordance with EN ISO 1461, theimperections in zinc coatings may not exceed

    0.5% o the total surace o the building

    component. A single deect may not exceed

    10 cm2 and must to be repaired in accordance

    with requirements.

    The internal suraces o inaccessible hollow

    structures are exempted rom this requirement,

    because it is difficult or impossible to inspect and

    because o poor access or repair purposes.

    The standard considers three repair methods:

    l Thermal spraying with zinc

    l Use o zinc-rich paint

    l Solder with a zinc-alloy stick

    The repair techniques are not ranked in any

    particular order.

    Unless otherwise stipulated, the repair method is

    at the galvanizers discretion.

    The galvanizer shall advise the building owner

    or end-user o the repair method that hasbeen used. Appropriate zinc powder-based

    systems are mainly used. Single component

    polyurethane/zinc powder-based primers are

    recommended, provided their suitability has

    been certiied by the manuacturer. This repair

    method is practical, eective i implemented

    correctly, and reasonably priced.

    The repair o imperections using thermal zinc

    spraying (with or without subsequent sealing)

    is admittedly the most expensive and onerousrepair method, but it does oer a protection

    period comparable to that o the original intact

    zinc coating. Its technical easibility must be

    checked in advance, particularly with regard

    to the accessibility o the suraces to be

    repaired. Also, the higher costs must be agreed

    beorehand.

    Repair using zinc-rich paint is eective as

    well, but its quality very much depends on the

    preparation o the surace, the suitability o

    the paint itsel, the correct application and the

    thickness o the coating.

    The soldering repair technique with zinc alloy

    is relatively expensive and the result obtained

    is usually unsatisactory. In particular soldering

    with tin, which is diicult to melt, gives poor

    results. This method is thereore disappearing

    rom the market.

    The particular characteristics o the repair

    method with respect to the application

    o subsequent coats must be taken into

    consideration. Compatibility between therepair coating and subsequent coats must

    be guaranteed. For powder coatings, stoving

    temperatures up to 200C have to be

    considered.

    Beore applying a repair coat, the aected

    surace must be cleaned and, i necessary,

    descaled. A high quality surace preparation canbe obtained by manually grinding to a surace

    condition o PMa or by blasting to a surace

    condition o Sa 2 or (EN ISO 12944-4). The

    requirements relating to surace roughness must

    be considered when selecting the repair method.

    The coat thickness o the repaired area shall be

    at least 30 m greater than the required local

    thickness o the zinc coating as given in Table 3.

    According to this standard, deects in the zinc

    coating resulting rom the interventions by third

    parties during abrication or erection must be

    repaired in the same way. Zinc coatings have

    a better resistance against mechanical loads

    than organic paints. It is however technically

    impossible to completely avoid damages or a

    reduction o coat thickness in the areas where

    handling gear is applied, even i all necessary

    precautions are taken.

    Deects with a surace area o more than

    10 cm2 may also result rom modiications made

    to the galvanized structure or rom mechanical

    loads generated during erection. I the deectcan be repaired without compromising the

    eectiveness o the corrosion protection e.g.

    by thermal spraying with zinc, there is usually

    no need or the structure to be dismantled and

    regalvanized. Here, an equitable solution should

    be sought between the contracting parties.

    3. Hot-dip galvanizing

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    Architect

    sClaudeVasconi&JeanPetit,Luxembourg

    Chamber o Commerce, Luxembourg

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    4. Charasteristics of hot-dipgalvanizing of steel structures

    1. Preliminaries

    Hot-dip galvanizing is a highly eective andcost-eicient corrosion protection method or

    steel structures.

    The process-related speciicities o hot-dip

    galvanization (surace preparation by pickling

    in acid, immersion o steel structures into a

    metal bath at 450C, uneven heating during

    immersion) result however in higher technical

    requirements than with other corrosion

    protection methods with respect to:

    l

    Steel quality and material characteristicsl Detailing, structural design

    l Fabrication o the steel structures

    All these points have to be taken into account

    by the contributing parties. As a matter o act,

    an unavourable combination o these aspects

    can result in the ormation o cracks during hot-

    dip galvanization or during the treatment o the

    steel components in the aqueous solutions like

    degreasing, pickling and luxing. The state-o-

    the-art considers today the zinc bath as the

    leading action in relation with the ormation o

    issures. Consequently, special attention has tobe paid to highly reactive chemical compositions

    o the zinc bath as they increase the cracking

    potential.

    Basically, a distinction has to be made between

    the liquid metal induced embrittlement (LME)

    and the hydrogen-induced cracking or expansion

    o cracks (hydrogen-induced corrosion) during

    the hot-dip galvanizing process.

    Extensive metallographic investigations have

    shown that the cracking o usual structural

    steels during hot-dip galvanizing is due to LME.Hydrogen-induced cracking o structural steel

    structures during hot-dip galvanizing is much

    less likely to occur [7].

    In order to ulil the quality requirements o zinc

    coatings according to EN ISO 1461, a close

    collaboration between the steel manuacturer,

    the abricator and the galvanizer is absolutely

    necessary, especially when dealing with steel

    constructions with a high degree o welding.

    2. Hydrogen-induced cracking

    On principle, the absorption o hydrogen into

    the metals occurs in the presence o a suicient

    amount o hydrogen, e.g. during the steel

    production (blast urnace process, pickling), steel

    processing (welding) or during the pretreatment

    o the steel surace like degreasing, pickling, etc.

    According to ISO 4964, the risk o hydrogen-

    induced cracking mainly exists with a local tensile

    strength >1200 N/mm2, a hardness >34 HRC or

    a surace hardness >340 HV. Notches, presentin the microstructure o the surace, or material

    inhomogeneities increase the risk o damage.

    Usual steel grades are typically not subjected

    to embrittlement through hydrogen absorption

    during pickling, even i hydrogen remains in the

    steel. In this case, the hydrogen escapes during

    the immersion process in the molten zinc.

    17

    ArchitectsAtlanteArchitectes

    -PhotoP.RogeauxCarlier

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    3. Liquid metal-inducedembrittlement (LME)

    Preconditions or LME to arise are:

    l suicient static or dynamic tensile,

    bending or torsional stresses (load

    induced/ residual stresses)

    l corrosive acting liquid metal

    l solid metal vulnerable to LME

    l critical temperature range

    l mutual solubility o the involved metals

    l good wettability o the solid metal by

    the molten metal

    l ormation o low melting intermetallic

    phases/compounds.

    Given the above-mentioned conditions during

    the hot-dip galvanizing o steel structures, the

    characteristics o steel can be unavourably

    aected by wetting grain boundaries close to

    the surace respectively suraces in notches orcracks with a corrosive acting liquid metal, zinc

    and/or alloys o the zinc bath (or example lead

    (Pb), tin (Sn) or bismuth (Bi)).

    Tensile stresses in the steel can no longer be

    transerred i:

    l the deormation capacity (ductility)

    is impaired, see also Figure 6,

    l the resistance against crack

    propagation is reduced.

    When exceeding a critical stress level, the

    development o inter-crystalline issures in

    the steel, ramiied and branched out into the

    material, results in the cracking o the remaining

    section. The issure tips are usually illed

    with zinc; in the case o alloyed zinc baths,

    additional concentrations o alloying elements

    may be present.

    The order o magnitude o the critical stress,

    above which steel is vulnerable to cracking

    through LME in a zinc bath, is widely unknown

    at present. On the one hand this is due to the

    diiculty or deining and assessing the existing

    and acting stresses in the structural element

    and on the other hand it is due to the act that

    stresses are generated through technological

    parameters during the galvanizing process,

    above all the dipping speed o the buildingcomponents and the heat transer rom the zinc

    bath to the steel. Literature generally indicates

    that the susceptibility to LME increases with

    increasing hardness and resistance o the

    structural steels. Observations in this regard

    suggest that steel grades S275 and lower run a

    very low LME-risk, whereas those above S460

    are clearly more at risk.

    Today, there is a general believe that the

    potential risk o crack ormation due to LME

    is substantially inluenced by the chemicalcomposition o the zinc bath, in particular the

    contents o lead (Pb), tin (Sn) and bismuth (Bi).

    Typical requirements on the maximum content

    o these 3 elements are given in chapter 8.

    4. Charasteristics of hot-dip galvanizing of steel structures

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    5. Requirements for materials

    19

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    1. Chemical composition

    The structural steels o ArcelorMittals longproducts are produced in accordance with part

    2 or 4 o EN 10025:2004 and the option o

    the suitability or hot-dip zinc-coating can be

    agreed upon or all the steel grades up to a yield

    strength o 460 MPa. It is clear here that this

    option merely applies to the inluence o the

    chemical composition o the steels regarding the

    silicon (Si) and phosphorous (P) content on the

    thickness and appearance o the zinc coating.

    The perormance o the steels during hot-dip

    galvanizing with regard to LME is not addressedin the European standards.

    In Japan, extensive tests have been conducted

    on the subject and a relation, similar to the

    carbon equivalent as an indication or the

    weldability, is proposed between the chemical

    composition o some Japanese steels and their

    LME risk potential,. [9] reports on this matter

    in the context o a contribution to the current

    state o knowledge regarding LME. Inquiries

    about the causes o cracks in steel structures

    in Europe, however, have lead to the conclusion

    that optimal chemical compositions o the steelsalone according to the Japanese experience can

    not prevent LME when other actors avouring

    LME provoke a suiciently critical state. On a

    general basis, it can nethertheless be stated that

    a low carbon equivalent tends to counteract

    LME.

    5. Requirements for materials

    ArchitectsClaudeVasconi&JeanPetit,Luxembourg

    Chamber o Commerce, Luxembourg

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    2. Mechanical properties of steel

    The knowledge o the steel characteristicsis essential when designing the steel building

    components suitable or hot-dip galvanizing.

    The design or quasi-static loads is usually

    based on the yield stress Re, This characteristic

    is determined with the tensile strength Rm,

    the Youngs modulus o elasticity E, the total

    elongation at racture A, the uniorm elongation

    Ag and the reduction o area Z, in a monoaxial

    tensile test at ambient temperature at a gradual

    loading rate.

    The stress-strain diagram, obtained rom this

    tensile test, shows that substantial deormation

    occurs beyond the yield stress beore rupture

    occurs. This means that racture o building

    components is an indication that a large amount

    o deormation has taken place. This ductility

    has a major inluence on the assessment o

    stress resistance, on the choice o the calculation

    method and statical system, as well as the

    application o the saety coeicients in steel

    structures. In order to avoid brittle fracture, steel

    needs to be suiciently ductile.

    The plastic deormation also reduces stress

    concentrations at notches or where residual

    stresses are present. For example, residual

    stresses (rom welding or rolling processes) are

    either completely or partially disregarded when

    designing steel structures.

    Building components made rom a ductile

    material may also be used or plastic design,

    which means that elongation o the steel beyond

    its yield stress is allowed.

    Ductility however can vary considerably

    between steel grades, as shown in Figure 5.

    Also, it is important to note that the deormation

    capacity o the steel is reduced during the hot-

    dip galvanizing process (Figure 6).

    Heating steel lowers its yield stress, modulus o

    elasticity as well as its tensile strength.

    The stress-temperature diagram in Figure 7

    shows the typical reduction in yield stress or

    the 3 usual steel grades S 235, HISTAR 355 /

    S 355 and HISTAR 460 / S 460.

    Hardness is another criterion used to assess

    strength. The hardness value is used, or

    example, or checking the uniormity o the

    strength o semi-inished products, and can

    be used or the approximate non-destructive

    determination o the tensile strength.

    The advantages o steel grades with high

    elongation have already been mentioned.

    In addition to total elongation A, uniorm

    elongation Ag, and reduction o area Z, the notch

    impact energy Kv is an important criterion whenassessing the toughness o a steel.

    The toughness values may not be used as such

    or structural design purposes, they rather

    enable a qualitative comparison o various steels

    with regard to their toughness. Combined with

    the experience gained with steels whose stress

    resistance and toughness have already been

    determined, they enable an assessment o the

    risk o brittle racture occurring in certain stress

    conditions (i.e. plane, three-dimensional or

    residual stresses, loads), at certain temperaturesor in particular loading modes (slow or ast).

    Figure 5 Typical stress - strain diagram or various steels

    Figure 6 Schematic stress strain diagram or structuralsteel S355 comparison o the characteristics o S355at room temperature (RT), at 460C in the air, and duringimmersion in the zinc bath at 460C

    Figure 7 Typical yield stress - temperature diagram or

    various steels

    Yield stress [N/mm2]

    Temperature [C]

    HISTAR 355/S 355

    S 235

    HISTAR 460/S 460

    0

    100

    200

    300

    400

    500

    0 100 200 300 400 500

    Stress

    Elongation

    0

    0

    150

    300

    450

    600

    750

    800

    Stress [N/mm2]

    HISTAR 460/S 460

    HISTAR 355/S 355

    S 235

    6 12 18 24 3630

    21

    S355 RT

    S355 460 C / air

    S355 460 C / Zinc bath

    Elongation [%]

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    The toughness o hot-rolled sections is

    measured in longitudinal rolling direction.

    Without any special measures, toughnessvalues can be lower in transverse direction and

    perpendicular to the surace o the section. The

    reason or this deterioration is the presence o

    non-metallic deormable inclusions positioned

    parallel to the surace during the rolling process.

    Stresses occurring perpendicular to the surace

    (mainly in welded structures) combined with

    insuicient toughness can then lead to a loss

    o cohesion in the material similar to lamellar

    tearing. These inclusions can be modiied or even

    eliminated using special steel making techniques.

    Thus, Z-quality steel is characterised by

    superior deormation properties in a plane

    perpendicular to the surace.

    The limited possibilities or using the toughness

    values in the assessment o crack potential is

    due to the act that the state o stress (plane or

    three-dimensional, residual) and the deformation

    conditions o the structure are widely unknown.

    It is mainly high stress levels at the end o

    a surace or internal imperections, residual

    stresses rom abrication, the temperature and

    the loading rate that inluence the resistance tobrittle racture.

    In order to better assess, rom a quantitative

    point o view, the susceptibility o a steel

    to brittle racture, racture resistance is

    determined on the basis o the theory o

    racture mechanics and special tests made on

    samples pre-notched by atigue. Their condition

    is similar to the one o building components

    aected by issures. A critical temperature is

    thus obtained at speciied stress levels. Below

    this critical temperature, a crack propagatesrapidly resulting in the sudden racture o the

    entire sample.

    Speciic steel production processes (e.g. the

    way o killing during casting) inluence the

    toughness and susceptibility to lamellar tearing;

    the designation o the notch toughness shows

    dierent levels (or structural steels e.g. JR, J0,

    J2, M, ML, etc.).

    A ine grain microstructure, such as the one o

    high strength ine grained structural steels, also

    enables susceptibility to brittle racture to be

    reduced and weldability to be improved. The

    ine microstructure o these steels increases

    their yield strength without compromising their

    toughness.

    3. Weldability

    Structural steels are typically expected topossess a good weldability, which is usually the

    case. This means that the welding technique

    and iller materials must be selected in such a

    way that there is no deterioration in either the

    strength or the toughness in the heat aected

    zone and in the weld.

    During the production process o the steels, the

    weldability can be improved by an increase o

    the purity level, through an improved control

    o the alloying elements as well as speciic

    processes, like the controlled thermomechanicalrolling and the quenching and sel-tempering.

    5. Requirements for materials

    Grenoble Ice Rink, France

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    4. Information on materials forfabricating building components

    Figure 5 shows that the various steel qualities

    have very high elongation capability. For design

    purposes, only a small part o this potential is

    used. The elongation capability o steel may

    be reduced due to material embrittlement,

    or generally due to local restrictions o

    deormability as a result o two or three

    dimensional (residual) stress states or through

    the presence o micro structural impurities in

    the steel. Exceeding the ductility limit obviously

    results in brittle racture in the building

    component. Experience shows that severalinluences can occur simultaneously.

    These are very complex phenomena and

    experimental results or the estimation o the

    toughness. Respectively the tendency or brittle

    racture are subject to very large variations.

    Also, brittle racture is greatly inluenced by

    the abrication processes (e.g. changes in the

    microstructure in a welded area i excessively

    cooled), the structural design (e.g. residual

    stresses) and the way in which the structure

    is used (e.g. the rate at which heavy loads are

    applied).

    Obviously, welded building parts may be

    particularly aected by brittle racture.

    The presence o hydrogen in the weld or in the

    heat-aected zone, combined with residual

    stresses rom welding, aects the susceptibilityo steel to hot and cold cracking. Besides hot

    cracks during welding, cold cracks are to be

    expected i hydrogen rom welding is present

    in the weld or heat-aected zone and when

    residual stresses rom shrinking take eect.

    Here, hydrogen causes a reduction o the

    deormation capacity.

    Taking into account these considerations is

    o outmost importance or the structural

    design process o steel structures oreseen or

    galvanization, as additional stresses during hot-

    dip galvanizing and simultaneously reduced yield

    stress and deormation capacities o the steels

    can lead to LME or hydrogen induced crack

    ormation.

    This type o brittle racture during galvanizing

    can occur in any type o steel. As already

    indicated, susceptibility to racture is especially

    inluenced by tensile stresses (mainly residual

    stresses) in the building component.

    5. Improving structural steels

    Developments in structural steels are aimed at

    increasing their yield strength and weldability

    while keeping or even improving their toughness.

    These improvements are achieved by eliminating

    inclusions, by improving the microstructure

    through the choice o alloying elements

    avouring iner grains, the replacement o

    ingot casting with continuous casting and the

    adoption o reined rolling processes like the

    thermomechanical rolling and the quenching andsel-tempering.

    23

    5. Requirements for materials

    ArchitectsChemetov-

    Huidobro-PhotosO.Wogenscki

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    6. Requirements of structures suitablefor hot-dip galvanizing

    1. General

    The principles o the design o structures to begalvanized are similar to those or other steel

    structures provided that the speciic demands

    or the hot-dip galvanizing process are taken

    into consideration.

    Hot-dip galvanizing is a hot-immersion process

    whose stages rom surace preparation

    (degreasing, pickling, rinsing, and luxing) to

    the galvanization process itsel take place in

    an industrial-sized installation (e.g. tanks and

    kettles) respectively in the zinc bath (440

    460C). All the ollowing speciic demandso this procedure have to be taken into

    consideration at the design stage:

    l Technical demands associated

    with the process

    l Saety requirements

    l Requirements imposed on the materials,

    design, and fabrication of building components

    to prevent deormations and cracks

    Basic inormation on this subject can be ound inISO 1461 and in EN ISO 14713.

    In addition, the shape o steel structures and

    their design as regards corrosion protection

    have a decisive inluence on the eectiveness

    (protection period) and maintenance

    (accessibility) o the corrosion protection.

    In this respect, the basic rules or the design o

    structures to be corrosion protected according

    to EN ISO 12944-3 are also applicable to

    galvanized structures.

    2. Technical requirementsassociated with the process

    2.1 Geometry o building components

    The dimensions o building components that are

    to be galvanized shall be chosen in such a way

    that they can be immersed in a single operation.

    It is thereore important or the designer to

    determine in advance the maximum dimensions

    o the available galvanizing tanks.

    In the case o steel structures, the economically

    viable dimensions o tanks are as ollows:

    l Length: 7.00 16.50 m

    l Width: 1.30 2.00 m

    l Depth: 2.20 3.50 m

    For building components that can not be

    galvanized in one operation, (Figure 8 shows

    an example or double immersion), special

    measures have to be taken since the dierential

    heating o the building component increases

    the risk o deormation and/or cracking (see

    also paragraph 6.2.4). In this situation, prior

    discussions should be held with the galvanizer.

    First immersion

    Second immersion

    Figure 8 Example o double immersion

    Killesberg Tower, Stuttgart, Germany

    ArchitectsHansLuzundPartner

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    2.2 Vent holes, run-o openings,

    ventilation openings

    In order to ensure that the surace is correctly

    pre-treated and high quality galvanization

    is achieved, building components must be

    designed in such a way that the pre-treatment

    liquids and especially the molten zinc are in

    contact with all the suraces, and that they can

    reely run o when the part is removed rom

    the bath.

    Air pockets and air inclusions lead to uncoated

    areas; constructional measures must thereore

    be employed to prevent their ormation.

    This does not only apply to structures made

    rom hollow sections and tanks, but also to

    structures comprising stieners, partition plates

    and endplates, etc. in which air pockets may

    orm during immersion i appropriate vent holes

    are not incorporated.

    The sizes o the run-o openings and vent holes

    depend on the quantity o zinc that must low

    through. The immersion velocity is an importantparameter or reducing the risk potential o

    steel constructions with regard to LME. Further

    details will be discussed in chapter 8. It has

    been experimentally determined that the

    susceptibility to LME decreases with an increase

    in immersion velocity. An ideal immersion

    velocity would be approximately 5 m/min [11].

    Figure 9 shows examples o vent holes,

    Figure 10 examples o run-o openings. In the

    case o sections up to 300 mm high, l1 must be 20 mm, in the case o sections over 300 mm

    high, l1 must be 30 mm. In order to achieve

    the ideal immersion velocity or LME-critical

    steel constructions, it is necessary to coordinate

    the design o the vent holes with the abricator

    and the galvanizer.

    The run-o openings or the connection o

    girders, base plates, corners o portal rames,

    etc. must have a diameter between 10 mm and

    approx. 35 mm. Examples can be ound in

    Figure 10.

    Figure 9 Examples o vent holes

    Figure 10 Examples o run-o openings

    l1

    l1

    l1

    l1

    Bevel cut Circular cut

    6. Requirements of structures suitable for hot-dip galvanizing

    D

    D

    D

    D

    Girder assembly Base plate Node o portal rame

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    2.3 Saety issues associated

    with the process

    At the temperature o molten zinc (440

    460C) the moisture contained in air pockets

    (hollow parts, overlapping areas closed by

    welds) generates pressurized water vapour

    creating an explosion risk. Liquids rom the pre-

    treatment process can also seep into overlapping

    suraces i these are not perectly sealed, and

    evaporate explosively when immersed in the

    zinc bath.

    Overlapping suraces should be avoided not

    only or saety reasons, but also or corrosion

    protection purposes. Table 4 provides some

    suggestions, should overlapping suraces be

    unavoidable.

    The drilling o holes in large overlapping suraces

    deinitely reduces the danger o explosion during

    galvanization but it also reduces the eiciency

    o the corrosion protection o the structure.

    Indeed, iniltrated pre-treatment solutions do

    not completely evaporate, leaving traces o salt

    in gaps. In many cases, the zinc coat will not

    completely cover the gaps ater evaporation

    o the liquids, resulting in corrosion occurring inthese parts o the structure.

    Maximum overlapping suraces Measures

    Up to 100 cm2 (or product thicknesses < 12mm) Seal weld circumerence

    Up to 400 cm2 (or product thicknesses 12mm) Seal weld circumerence

    Table 4 Recommended maximum sizes o overlapping suraces

    6. Requirements of structures suitable for hot-dip galvanizing

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    2.4 Inormation on detailing

    suitable or galvanization

    The design and detailing o steel building

    components must satisy the basic principles

    or the design o structures requiring corrosion

    protection, and in particular, o hot-dip

    galvanization. This is the only way in which

    adequate corrosion protection comprising

    satisactory thickness o zinc layers can be

    ensured, along with the elimination o the

    potential risk of structural deformation, cracks or

    any other damage to the building components.

    Consultation with the galvanizer must be sought

    as early as possible in the design process or

    galvanized steel components.

    Table 5 Structural details and abrication recommendations

    Potential problems during hot-dip galvanization

    o steel components may be solved by

    implementation o the ollowing constructionaland technological measures:

    l Already at the planning stage, the abricator

    must try to minimise residual stresses

    generated during abrication, particularly rom

    welding. Here, appropriate welding procedures

    are helpul. With increasing thicknesses o

    building components, the risk o three-

    dimensional stresses, aster cooling rates

    and hence the risk o cracking increases.

    l Strict compliance with requirements as

    regards the design o structures intended

    or hot-dip galvanization, especially when

    using high strength steels with a low notch

    toughness. The amount o vent holes and

    drainage holes must be minimised. Also,

    inappropriate abrication will increase the

    risk o cracking. It is recommended to

    seek agreement with the galvanizer.

    l The ratio o plate thicknesses welded directly

    together should not exceed a actor o 2.5.

    With increasing thicknesses o the steelparts and or elements with a high degree o

    welding, the ratio should even be smaller.

    l The use o highly restrained building

    components susceptible o generating

    internal stresses during the galvanizing

    process should be avoided.

    l The actual characteristics and the

    chemical composition o the material to

    be galvanized must be identiied prior

    to galvanization. The galvanizer must be

    advised about the nature o the steels

    used or the sections to be galvanized.

    l Multiple immersions must be avoided.

    The ollowing table shows a selection o

    structural details which have to be considered

    as critical with regard to LME during hot-dip

    galvanization.

    Nr Structural detail Description

    1

    Welding o hal end plates induces a concentration o residual stresses in the area indicated.

    Recommendation: arrange the end plate over the ull height o the section or use a bolted

    connection.

    2Welding o the plate induces a concentration o residual stresses in the area indicated.

    Recommendation: perorm stress relie annealing in the areas indicated, and/or round o.

    3Welding induces concentrations o residual stresses at the our corners o the hollow section.

    Recommendation: perorm stress relie annealing in the areas indicated.

    6. Requirements of structures suitable for hot-dip galvanizing

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    Nr Structural detail Description

    4Welding induces concentrations o residual stresses at the our corners o the connection plate.

    Recommendation: perorm stress relie annealing in the areas indicated.

    5Welding induces concentrations o residual stresses at the ends o the plate.

    Recommendation: perorm stress relie annealing in the areas indicated.

    6

    The dierences in stiness between the section, the thick base plate, and welds induce

    concentrations o residual stresses.

    Recommendation: perorm stress relie annealing in the area o the welds .

    7

    The dierences in stiness between the section and the endplate and welds induce concen-

    trations o residual straining. Hardening at the edges o the bolt holes may also occur.

    Recommendations: perorm stress relie annealing in the area o the welds, careully

    drill bolt holes.

    8

    The dierences in stiness between the section and the endplate and welds induce

    residual stresses.

    Recommendation: perorm stress relie annealing in the area o the welds.

    9The welding o stieners between the fanges o the section induces residual stresses.

    Recommendation: perorm stress relie annealing in the area o the welds.

    10

    The system is internally highly restrained. The inevitable dierences in temperature to which

    building components are heated lead to high residual stresses.

    Recommendation: bolt the diagonals to the chords ater galvanization.

    11

    Inappropriate execution o the rounded areas may result in hardening and the creation

    o notches.

    Recommendation: round-o careully, perorm stress relie annealing in the abricated areas.

    12Inappropriate execution o openings may result in hardening and the creation o notches.

    Recommendation: round-o careully, perorm stress relie annealing in the abricated area.

    6. Requirements of structures suitable for hot-dip galvanizing

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    ArchitectsSRA,AnthonyBelluschi,OWP&P

    Shopping Center 4 temps, Paris, France

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    7. Requirements for the fabricationof steel structures

    1. Residual stresses inbuilding components

    Cracks rom hot-dip galvanizing o steel

    constructions are oten generated in places with

    high residual stresses (tensile stresses), notches

    and/or hardness increases due to abrication

    processes such as

    l welding

    l oxygen cutting

    l grinding

    l drilling

    l punching

    l

    cold orming (ageing)l straightening

    Residual stresses are also created in restrained

    components in the zinc bath. The heat during

    galvanization (450C) modiies both the

    state o internal stresses and the mechanical

    characteristics o the steel (reduction o yield

    stress and modulus o elasticity), thereby

    reducing the resistance o the building

    components to elastic deormation. Stresses,

    mainly localised, can decrease but also increase

    and deormations may occur.

    The diiculty lies, however, in determining the

    magnitude o residual stresses, which in practice

    can only be roughly estimated. The many

    actors, inluenced by abrication and detailing,

    cannot be determined with suicient accuracy

    either qualitatively or quantitatively. Structural

    engineers are usually unaware of the real amount

    o residual stresses in the structure.

    The plastic deormation capabilities o structural

    steels generally allow to disregard the accurate

    determination o residual stresses as they aremostly localised and tend to disappear through

    plastiication when superposed with stresses

    rom exterior loads. It is o course o outmost

    importance here that the appropriate steel

    is chosen with respect to toughness, taking

    into account the dimensions o the building

    component and the application temperature

    (see prEN 1993-1-10). With components thatare to be hot-dip galvanized, special care must

    be taken to minimise residual stresses. This is

    usually achieved using constructional measures,

    in order to avoid any subsequent stress relieving

    beore galvanizing.

    Fabrication also allows to prevent high residual

    stresses and hardness increases by

    l using multi-layer illet welds, which

    could be welded in a single run with the

    current state o welding techniques

    l establishing a welding procedure

    l avoiding long and thick welds

    l avoiding cold deormation or reducing

    the created residual stresses through

    heat treatment (keeping in mind

    however that not all the eects o

    cold orming can be cancelled out)

    l removing notches or restricting their presence

    especially in thin building parts o welded

    constructions and areas subject to changesin microstructure rom cold orming, welding,

    oxygen cutting, drilling, punching, etc.

    2. Surface condition ofrolled long products

    Unless otherwise speciied in the order,

    the suraces o hot rolled sections or hot-

    dip galvanization shall normally conorm

    to the basic requirements o EN 10163-

    3:1991, class C, subsection 1.

    The suraces to be galvanized must

    be de-greased and any discontinuities

    that could compromise the corrosion

    protection properties o the zinc coat

    must be removed beore galvanization.

    ArchitectsMarkusOtt-PhotoAtelierKinold

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    Rheda Wiederbrck Car Park, Germany

    CourtesyofVollackManagementGmbH,Germany

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    8. Requirements for hot-dip Galvanizing

    As seen in paragraph 4.3, the presence o a

    corrosive acting liquid metal in contact with a

    solid metal prone to liquid metal embrittlementis the precondition or crack ormation in steels

    due to LME. This prerequisite is inevitably

    given or hot-dip galvanizing (liquid metal =

    zinc bath, solid metal = steel), as this is the

    only way that the zinc coat can be produced.

    Similar to the requirements or the steel

    production, or the structural design and or the

    abrication o steel structures (in particular or

    minimising residual stresses), speciic measures

    have to be taken in the hot-dip galvanizing

    process to keep the risk o hydrogen-induced

    cracking and LME as low as possible.

    Extensive investigations [9, 12, 13] have

    shown that during hot-dip galvanizing, the

    temperature gradient resulting rom the

    immersion o structural elements into the

    zinc bath and its time-related variation during

    dipping is an important process parameter in

    view o LME. Here, the risk potential or LME

    is small or a low temperature gradient [14].

    The heat transer coeicient and the

    wetting ability o zinc baths increase withhigh concentrations o alloys, especially

    tin (Sn), lead (Pb) and bismuth (Bi)

    thereby reducing the heating time and

    consequently increasing the risk o LME.

    Based on the above mentioned indings,

    investigations were conducted in order to lower

    the temperature gradient by modiying process

    parameters o hot-dip galvanizing [11].

    The temperature gradient can be reduced by

    l optimizing the chemical compositiono the zinc bath, especially with

    respect to Sn, Pb and Bi,

    l increasing the immersion velocity

    (approx. 5 m/min)

    l increasing the dipping angle

    l increasing the salt concentration

    in the lux (approx 500 g/l)

    l adjusting the drying temperature ater

    luxing to 100C, to ensure a high

    temperature o the building components

    prior to dipping in the zinc bath

    l keeping the temperature o the zinc bath as

    low as possible to minimise the temperature

    dierence between the building part and thezinc bath.

    Recent research results deine a new sate-

    o-the-art. Nowadays, it can be assumed

    that contents o tin up to 0.1% and/or

    bismuth up to 0.1% do not detrimentally

    inluence LME. Herewith, the content

    o lead should be limited to 0.8%.

    It must however be noted here that both

    the classical zinc bath and the one modiied

    as described above can be LME-critical,

    especially i the LME-critical requirements or

    the quality o material, design and abrication

    (see paragraphs 5 to 7) are not met.

    Chamber o Commerce, Luxembourg

    ArchitectsClaudeVasconi&JeanPetit,Luxembourg

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    BavarianModelHo

    usingEstate,Ingolstadt,Germany

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    9. Duplex systems

    Many architects use hot-dip galvanized steel

    structures because o their aesthetic qualities.

    In addition, the use o liquid or powder paints on

    top o the zinc coat, the well-known duplex-

    system, has become very popular over the last

    ew years.

    Duplex systems have advantages when the

    ollowing aspects are important:

    l long protection period

    Duplex systems have a service lie 1.2 to 1.5

    times higher than the combined protection

    periods o the hot-dip galvanization and paintcoats (synergy eect).

    l large choice o colours

    l need or signalling / identiication /

    camoulage

    l no or reduced release o zinc into the

    environment

    At least the irst coat o the paint system

    should be applied in the workshop, i possible

    immediately ater hot-dip galvanization thereby

    rendering expensive surace preparation

    on the construction site unnecessary.

    High quality duplex systems require

    optimal compatibility between the

    galvanizing coat and the paint.

    The choice o suitable coating materials is o

    particular importance. Only coating systems with

    proven compatibility with batch galvanizationin accordance with EN ISO 1461 shall be used.

    The requirements or surace preparation /

    pre-treatment depend on the nature o the

    coating material.

    Zinc suraces designed to be powder-coated

    must be sweeped, phosphated or chromated

    immediately prior to coating.

    In the case o liquid paints, current technology

    only requires the surace o the zinc coat

    to be sweeped when large amounts o zinc

    corrosion products (white rust) on the surace

    compromise adhesion, or in unction o the

    corrosion exposure categories as per the

    speciications o the coat manuacturer.

    The purpose o sweep blasting is simply to clean

    and rough the surace o the coats. Sweeping

    exerts great mechanical stress on zinc coatings

    and may, i poorly executed, damage them

    (i.e. cause cracks, laking).

    The optimal parameters or sweeping are [15]:

    l abrasive: non-metallic slags, aluminous

    abrasive, or glass beads

    l particle size o the abrasive grit: 0.25 -

    0.50 mm

    l jet pressure at the nozzle: 2.5 3.0 bars

    l jet angle :

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    Shopping Center 4 temps, Paris, France

    ArchitectsSRA,AnthonyBelluschi,OWP&P

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    10. Cost effectiveness

    Hot-dip galvanization o structural steel

    components exposed to atmospheric conditions

    constitutes a highly eective durable corrosionprotection method. In many applications,

    the corrosion protection lasts as long as the

    structure itsel. Zinc coatings require no or

    almost no maintenance. Hot-dip galvanizing,

    in terms o lietime o the structures, including

    maintenance and repair costs, is by ar the

    most cost-eicient corrosion protection

    system available or steel structures.

    Contrary to the prevailing view that hot-dip

    galvanization only becomes cost-eective over

    time, it now oers substantial cost savings

    when compared to other protection systems on

    many types o structures, right rom the very

    beginning. Studies have shown that, beyond a

    speciic surace area o 15 to 20 m2/t, the initial

    costs of hot-dip galvanizing are lower than those

    o a three-coat paint system [17].

    Architects and designers should more than ever

    be aware o this act when selecting a corrosion

    protection system.

    Where hot-dip galvanizing cannot meet more

    stringent appearance requirements, a simpleduplex system e.g. a coat o zinc and one coat

    o paint that does not need sweeping, is worth

    considering.

    In any case, it is useul to perorm a cost-

    comparison o the various options beore

    selecting the appropriate corrosion protection

    system.

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    Bouillon Car Park, Luxembourg

    ArchitectsRomainHoffmannArch

    itectesetUrbanistes

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    References

    [7] Katzung, W. und Schulz, W. D.

    On hot-dip galvanizing o steel

    constructions Causes and solutionproposals reerring to cracking

    [8] Pargeter, R.

    Liquid metal penetration during hot-dip

    galvanizing

    Published: TWI Website

    [9] Kinstler, Thomas J.

    Current Knowledge o the Cracking o

    Steels During Galvanizing

    GalvaScience LLC, PO Box 501, Springville,

    AL 35146

    [10] Kikuchi, M.

    Liquid Metal Embrittlement o Steels

    during Hot Dip Galvanizing

    Tetsu to Hagane, Iron and Steel, Volume

    68, Number 14, 1982,

    Pages 1870-1879

    [11] Pankert, R., Dhaussey, D., Beguin, P., Gilles, M.

    Three Years Experience with the

    Galveco Alloy

    Proceedings Twentieth International

    Galvanizing ConerenceAmsterdam, 2003, European General

    Galvanizers Association

    [12] Interpretation zinc assisted cracking on

    big scale steel structures and preventive

    methods. 2001, reeriert in ILZRO

    Project ZC 21 2.

    [13] Poag, G., Zervoudis, J.

    Inluence o various parameters on steel

    cracking.AGA Tech Forum, Oct. 8. 2003. Kansas

    City, Missouri.

    [14] Pinger, T.

    Avoidance o liquid metal induced

    embrittlement o galvanized steel

    constructions

    [15] Schulz, W. D.; Schubert, P.; Katzung, W.;

    Rittig, R.

    Correct sweeping o hot-dip galvanized

    parts according to DIN EN ISO 1461),

    Der Maler- und Lackierer-meister 7/99

    [16] Verbnde-Richtlinie Korrosions-schutz von

    Stahlbauten Duplex-Systeme

    Herausgegeben von Bundesverband

    Korrosionsschutz e.V., Kln

    Deutscher Stahlbauverband e. V.,

    Dsseldor

    Industrieverband Feuerverzinken e. V.,

    Dsseldor

    Verband der Lackindustrie e. V., Frankurt

    [17] Dipl.-Ing. P. KleingarnCost-eective and reliable corrosion

    protection using hot-dip galvanizing),

    Feuer-verzinken (28 th year) n 3,

    September 1999

    1. Bibliography

    [1] Dr.-Ing. D. KnotkovaAktuelle Erkenntnisse zum

    Korrosionsverhalten von Zink und

    Zinkberzgen

    Vortrag 4. Deutscher Verzinkertag

    1995 Kln

    [2] Dr.-Ing. Knotkova und F. Porter

    Longer lie o galvanized steel in the

    atmosphere due to reduced SO2-pollution

    in Europe

    Proc. o Intergalva 1994, Paris

    [3] F. von Assche

    Atmospheric conditions and hot dip

    galvanizing perormance

    Proc. Intergalva 1997, Birmingham,

    EGGA UK

    [4] Katzung, W. und Mitarb.

    Zum Einluss von Si und P au das

    Verzinkungsverhalten von Bausthlen

    Mat.-wiss. u. Werkstotech.

    28, 575 587 (1997)

    [5] Katzung, W. und Mitarbeiter; FuE-BerichtInstitut r Stahlbau Leipzig GmbH,

    Arno-Nitzsche-Str. 45, D-04277 Leipzig

    (unverentlicht)

    [6] Katzung, W.; Rittig, R.; Schubert, P. und

    Schulz, W. D.

    Zum Einluss von Abkhlverlau und

    Tauchdauer au die Hatestigkeit und das

    Bruchverhalten von Zinkberzgen nach

    DIN EN ISO 1461

    Mat.-wiss. und Werkstotechnik 32,

    483-492 (2001)

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    2. Standards and further reading

    l EN ISO 1461 : 1999Hot-dip galvanized coatings on abricated

    iron and steel articles

    l Katzung, W. und Marberg, D.

    Beuth-Kommentare

    Korrosionsschutz durch Feuerverzinken au

    Stahl augebrachte Zinkberzge

    (Stckverzinken), Kommentar zu

    DIN EN ISO 1461 (2002)

    l EN ISO 14713: 1999

    Protection against corrosion o iron andsteel in structures Zinc and aluminium

    coatings - Guidelines

    l EN ISO 12944-1-8 : 1998

    Corrosion protection o steel structures by

    protective paint systems

    l DIN 267, PART 10

    Mechanical assembly components -

    Technical delivery conditions

    Galvanized parts

    l EN 10025 : 2004Hot rolled products rom structural steels

    l EN 1993-1-10

    Design o steel structures Selection o

    materials

    l DASt Guideline 009

    Selection o steel grades or welded steel

    structures

    l Korrosionsschutz durch Feuerverzinken

    (Stckverzinken)

    Corrosion protection by hot-dipgalvanizing batch galvanizing

    Institut Feuerverzinken GmbH,

    Sohnstrae 70, D-40237 Dsseldor

    l Maa, P. und Peiker, P.

    Hot-dip galvanization manual

    Deutscher Verlag r Grundstoindustrie

    Leipzig, Stuttgart 1993

    l Arbeitsbltter Feuerverzinken

    Technical sheets or hot-dip galvanizing

    Institut Feuerverzinken GmbH, Sohnstrae

    70, D-40237 Dsseldor

    References

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    Notes

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    Technicaladvisory& Finishing

    Technical advisory

    We are happy to provide ree technical advice to

    optimise the use o our products and solutions

    in your projects and to answer your questions

    about the use o sections and merchant bars.

    This technical advice covers the design o

    structural elements, construction details, surace

    protection, ire saety, metallurgy and welding.

    Our specialists are ready to support yourinitiatives anywhere in the world.

    To acilitate the design o your projects, we also

    oer sotware and technical documentation that

    you can consult or download rom our website:

    www.arcelormittal.com/sections

    Finishing

    As a complement to the technical capacities

    o our partners, we are equipped with

    high-perormance inishing tools and

    oer a wide range o services, such as:

    l drilling

    l lame cutting

    l T cut-outs

    l notching

    l cambering

    l curving

    l straightening

    l cold sawing to exact length

    l welding and itting o studs

    l shot and sand blasting

    l surace treatment

    Building & ConstructionSupport

    At ArcelorMittal we also have a team o

    multi-product proessionals specialising in

    the construction market: the Building and

    Construction Support (BCS) division.

    A complete range o products and

    solutions dedicated to construction in all

    its orms: structures, aades, rooing,

    etc. is available rom the website

    www.constructalia.com

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    Your partners

    ArcelorMittal

    Commercial Sections

    66, rue de Luxembourg

    L-4221 Esch-sur-Alzette

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