The American Galvanizers Association (AGA) has developed and released the Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel Coating Appearance 5-part video series. This series follows steel samples throughout fabrication and hot-dip galvanizing to show variations in coating appearance and distinctly highlights the causes. Many factors that impact the appearance of hot-dip galvanized steel, are outside the galvanizer's control. The goal of this video series is to help specifiers understand what aspects impact the appearance of hot-dip galvanized steel and best practices for steel selection and fabrication techniques that optimize hot-dip galvanized steel’s appearance.

• Part 1 - Introduction to Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel Coating Appearance
• Part 2 - The Impact of Steel Chemistry, Cooling Rates, and Steel Processing
• Part 3 - Influence of Welding Techniques
• Part 4 - Process Marks & Inclusions
• Part 5 - Post Galvanizing Considerations

The first video introduces some common coating appearance issues and highlights ASTM A385 which provides many of the best practices for high-quality galvanized steel coatings. As noted in ASTM A385, steel selection and fabrication techniques can have a profound impact on the quality of the galvanized coating. 

Part two in the Coating Appearance video series pinpoint some specific recommendations in the specification that influence appearance such as steel chemistry, cooling rates and stresses induced from steel processing or fabrication.  Part three focuses on the influence welding techniques have on hot-dip galvanized steel. The quality of the weld plays a significant role in the appearance of the hot-dip galvanized coating and this video provides best practices and considerations when welding before galvanizing.

Part four and five of the Coating Appearance video series touch on the hot-dip galvanizing process and post galvanizing.  Part four focuses on handling steel with the use of overhead cranes and hoists to immerse and withdraw steel from pre-treatment and molten zinc baths and how that effects the appearance of the coating. Part five is all about factors that can impact the appearance of the zinc coating post galvanizing. After hot-dip galvanizing, steel parts are inspected for conformance to the specifications and at times there is a need for small areas requiring touch-up or repair which can influence the appearance.  Part five also explains how other coating appearance changes can be discovered after exposure to the environment.

The Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel Coating Appearance 5-part video series is meant to be a guide to help specifiers understand best practices for steel selection and fabrication to maximize the hot-dip galvanized steel’s appearance. 

This video series is available on the AGA YouTube Channel.  For further information, please contact AGA Senior Marketing Coordinator Jeff Cunningham.