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Can sweep blasting galvanized steel cause the galvanized coating to peel?

Blasting Damage2 72
Figure 2, left, displays an example of blasting damage

Peeling of a galvanized coating has several possible causes. Peeling can be caused by exposing galvanized steel to excessive temperatures (above 390F) for prolonged periods of time, which can mean just a few minutes or a few hours of exposure, depending on the temperature. Peeling can also occur when the steel cools very slowly after it has been galvanized. When peeling is due to long cool times, it usually happens on thick steel (1 inch or greater in thickness), on pipe and tubing, or on steel that was stacked while still hot. Lastly, peeling of the galvanized coating can occur when the galvanized coating has been overblasted. Before we discuss peeling of the galvanized coating due to overblasting, it is important to understand what peeling is. Peeling occurs when the free zinc layer (the outer layer also known as the eta layer) separates from the intermetallic layers of the galvanized coating. The other coating defect that happens when the galvanized coating comes off the steel is known as flaking, which is when nearly the entire galvanized coating comes off the steel (free zinc and intermetallic layers).

Peeling 1
Figure 1, peeling can be visually diagnosed by recognizing thin sections of zinc coming off the steel.

A simple test to verify whether you are dealing with peeling is to take a coating thickness measurement in the  affected area. If there is a coating thickness of approximately one mil or more on the steel, the defect is peeling of the galvanized coating. If a coating thickness measurement shows a near-zero reading, the issue is flaking. Visually, peeling can be diagnosed by looking for thin sections of zinc coming off the steel that look almost like tin foil (see Figure 1). Peeling can also appear as blisters on the galvanized coating. Flaking of the coating usually happens in bigger and stiffer chunks with much more defined edges. Sweep blasting the galvanized coating is a common step done during preparation for painting galvanized steel. Sweep blasting increases the profile of the galvanized coating and thereby allows for increased adhesion of the paint to the coating. Sweep blasting is preferred over standard blasting because standard blasting could remove most of the coating, whereas sweep blasting, when done correctly, removes only zinc corrosion compounds and not the zinc metal layer (eta layer). Several factors are important to keep in mind when sweep blasting galvanized steel, including choice of abrasive material, angle of blast, blast pressure, and temperature of the steel. Some materials that have been successfully used to sweep blast galvanized steel include aluminum/magnesium silicate, soft mineral sands with a Mohs hardness rating of five or less, organic media such as corn cobs or walnut shells, or stone materials such as corundum and limestone.

Fig 7 Blasted Test Plates
blasting damage
  •  Particle size for abrasives should be between 200 and 500 micrometers.
  •  Blast angle should be between 30 and 60 degrees relative to the steel surface.
  •  Blast pressure should be 40 psi or less.
  •  Finally, the substrate should be maintained at least three degrees centigrade above the dew point.

When abrasive materials harder than those mentioned above are used, or when the recommended blast pressure or angle is exceeded, peeling of the galvanized coating can occur. Overblasting is not always intentional, as seen in Figure 2. On this project one side of a concrete wall with attached galvanized angles was blasted to achieve a desired finish. The blaster was unaware that using a blast pressure and media necessary for concrete would damage the galvanized coating on the attached galvanized angles. The result was a galvanized coating that began blistering and peeling. Overblasting of the galvanized coating is easily preventable when the blaster is aware of the necessary requirements for sweep blasting galvanized steel. This information can be found in the AGA publication, Preparing Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel for Paint, which is available as a download or for a small fee in print edition, which includes an instruction video on DVD. To obtain a copy of this publication please send an email to [email protected]


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Comments

Al Jazira Metal Indutries

As I am in the middle east, would like to know what will be maximum time between grid blasting the steel and galvanizing, as there is some fabrication to be done after blasting. Normal chemical treatment of steel is done as per ASTM 123 during galvanizing.

(AGA)

Hello Al Jazira Metal Industries, there is no requirement to blast clean steel that will be galvanized except to remove the following contaminants: https://galvanizeit.org/knowledgebase/article/surface-preparation-prior-to-galvanizing If blasting the steel before galvanizing, there is no maximum time as long as those contaminants listed in the article are still removed. The chemical pre-treatment process will remove any surface oxidation that occurs after blasting.

(AGA)

Hello Al Jazira Metal Industries, there is no requirement to blast clean steel that will be galvanized except to remove the following contaminants: https://galvanizeit.org/knowledgebase/article/surface-preparation-prior-to-galvanizing If blasting the steel before galvanizing, there is no maximum time as long as those contaminants listed in the article are still removed. The chemical pre-treatment process will remove any surface oxidation that occurs after blasting.

Al Rushaid Constuction Company Limited

What will be the Surface Profile requirement in micron after sweep blasting of Galvanized material?

(AGA)

SSPC-SP 16 states bare metal substrates shall have a minimum profile of 19 micrometers (0.75 mil). Check with the paint manufacturer to see if a higher requirement is applicable for the specific paint to be applied (see Techncial Data Sheet).

Falcon zinc metal industries

Can steel abrasives be used ( such as steel shoot or grit ) for sweep blasting purposes on HDG steel .

(AGA)

Hi Falcon Zinc, Steel shot and grit are successfully used to prepare the galvanized surface. Generally the use of grit will provide a more suitable surface than shot. However, experience says there is often the potential for embedment of abrasive media in the surface layer of the zinc. For galvanized surfaces prepared with iron-containing abrasives such as steel grit, performance of the paint or powder coating system may be influenced by embedment of the abrasive and the chance for bi-metallic corrosion.

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