Agricultural steelwork has been protected by hot dip galvanizing for more than one hundred years. In the past it was mainly small objects such as buckets, watering cans and feeding troughs that were galvanized – and they usually lasted until they were worn out. Today, most steel products can receive the same level of protection, not just building frames and farm gates but all fencing, penstock equipment and appliances.
- Great value for money
- Long life
- Toughness
- Protects externally and internally
- Hygienic for use around animals
Toughness and abrasion resistance
Hot dip galvanizing produces a tough, durable and permanently bonded coating which is better than many other systems in protecting steel from damage, for instance, from tractors or machinery. What’s more, any bare steel exposed by scratches or drilled holes is protected by the surrounding zinc.
Reliability
Complete coverage, inside and out is a unique feature of hot dip galvanized coatings.
Hygiene
The abrasion and corrosion resistance of hot dip galvanized steel provides an easy to clean and hygienic surface.
Reduced labour
Particularly with building frames, once the hot dip galvanized steel is erected cladding can begin immediately. This eliminates time consuming on-site painting.
Availability
Hot dip galvanizing facilities are widely available so your suppliers should be able to offer hot dip galvanized products. It is recommended that a galvanizer is used which is a member of Galvanizers Association.
Environmental performance
Left alone outside, hot dip galvanizing will protect steel from the weather for many decades. It will protect steel from other substances found on farms such as diesel oil and petrol. However, galvanized steel can be attacked by prolonged exposure to acidic materials such as slurry and manure. If this is likely, a coat of bitumen paint should be applied to the galvanized steelwork.
Short term exposure, as in slurry pumps, is not normally a problem providing that the steelwork is rinsed off after use and allowed to dry. It is also advisable to paint galvanized steelwork with bitumen paint if it is going to be immersed continuously in water.
Specifications
Specifying materials and products can be a complex and confusing process. Specifying galvanizing however is very staightforward. To ensure you get the correct coating for your steel follow these simple steps:
- In the UK hot dip galvanized agricultural steel building frames should be supplied to BS 5502: Code of Practice for the Design of Buildings and Structures in Agriculture. In Ireland they should conform to the Farm Development Service Specification S101.
- Make reference to Part 21 of BS 5502 where specification of hot dip galvanizing is cited.
- This will ensure that EN ISO 1461 is also referenced as the main standard for the coating of iron and steel articles.