Lesson plan

Electrogalvanization

Electrogalvanizing is a process in which a layer of zinc is bonded to steel to protect against corrosion, enhance adhesion, or give an aesthetic appeal. The process involves electroplating, running a current of electricity through a saline-/zinc-based electrolytic solution with a zinc anode and steel cathode. Such zinc electroplating or zinc alloy electroplating maintains a dominant position among other electroplating process options, based upon electroplated tonnage per annum. According to the International Zinc Association, more than 5 million tons are used yearly for both hot-dip galvanization and electroplating. The plating of zinc was developed at the beginning of the 20th century. At that time, the electrolytic solution was cyanide-based. A significant innovation occurred in the 1960s with the introduction of the first acid chloride-based electrolyte. The 1980s saw a return to alkaline electrolytes, only this time, without the use of cyanide. The most commonly used electrogalvanized cold-rolled steel is SECC, acronym of "steel, electrogalvanized, cold-rolled, commercial-quality." Compared to hot-dip galvanization, electrogalvanization offers these significant advantages: *Lower thickness deposits to achieve comparable performance *Broader conversion coating availability for increased performance and colour options *Brighter, more aesthetically appealing deposits

Back to article

Article summary

Electrogalvanizing is a process in which a layer of zinc is bonded to steel to protect against corrosion, enhance adhesion, or give an aesthetic appeal. The process involves electroplating, running a current of electricity through a saline-/zinc-based electrolytic solution with a zinc anode and steel cathode. Such zinc electroplating or zinc alloy electroplating maintains a dominant position among other electroplating process options, based upon electroplated tonnage per annum. According to the International Zinc Association, more than 5 million tons are used yearly for both hot-dip galvanization and electroplating. The plating of zinc was developed at the beginning of the 20th century. At that time, the electrolytic solution was cyanide-based. A significant innovation occurred in the 1960s with the introduction of the first acid chloride-based electrolyte. The 1980s saw a return to alkaline electrolytes, only this time, without the use of cyanide. The most commonly used electrogalvanized cold-rolled steel is SECC, acronym of "steel, electrogalvanized, cold-rolled, commercial-quality." Compared to hot-dip galvanization, electrogalvanization offers these significant advantages: *Lower thickness deposits to achieve comparable performance *Broader conversion coating availability for increased performance and colour options *Brighter, more aesthetically appealing deposits

Key claims

No claims recorded.

Discussion questions

  1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
  2. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
  3. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

Bibliography

No sources recorded.

Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.