Early consultation between galvanizer, fabricator and designer is the key to obtaining the best results from the galvanizing process. Design features, which aid the access and drainage of molten zinc will improve the quality and appearance of the coating
For complete protection, molten zinc must be able to flow freely to all surfaces of a fabrication. With hollow sections or where there are internal compartments, the galvanizing of internal surfaces eliminates any danger of hidden corrosion during service.
General principles :
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- Holes for venting and drainage of sealed hollow sections must be provided and should be as large as possible
- With hollow sections sealed at the ends, holes may be provided diagonally opposite to each other, as near as possible to the ends of the hollow section
- Alternatively, holes for sealed hollow sections, may be provided in end/capping plates, they should be placed diagonally opposite and as near as possible to the wall of the member to which the end plate is connected
- For structural sections stiffeners and gussets should have corners cropped
- End plates on structural sections should have drainage holes as close as possible to where the flanges and web intersect