Galvanizing on Trailers

[fishinhardwater]

i have a 1987 load rite and was wondering if these trailers are galvanized all the way through, or just an outside coating? my trailer is showing its age and i took a air needle to it in some spots and those spots look great, but i fear getting down to bare steel if i go too deep? does anyone know? thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Galvanizing on Trailers

all galvanized is coated, it is an electro plating process where the steel is dipped, in a solution and charged with a positive, negative current. there is a paint type cold galvinizing, in a spray can, for touch ups.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Galvanizing on Trailers

Most trailers and industrial type galvanizing such as the high tension power transmission steel towers are hot-dip galvanized.

Literally meaning dipped in a giant vat of molten zinc and lead mixture to galvanize the steel. Usually evident by a dull grey almost sandpaper surface or with giant thumbnail ice crystal on glass appearence.

Electro-galvanizing as described above is the "cheaper and more modern" galvanizing method. Usually leaves a much more uniform and smooth surface.
It is also very much thinner coating than HD.

Either way, the layer is so thin that almost any wire brushing and any grinding totally removes the galvanizing. The coating is only on the steel, not in the steel.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Galvanizing on Trailers

Unfortunately if you took an air needle to your trailer the damage has already been done.

Galvanizing is a thin to very thin coating of a sacrificial alloy on the surface of the steel. While some products are produced using the electrolytic process the vast majority of the products are produced using the hot dip process.

These coatings include:
?Galvanize (zinc)
?Galvanneal (zinc/8-10% iron alloy)
?Two alloys of zinc and aluminum
55% aluminum/45% zinc alloy
95% zinc/5% aluminum alloy
?Two aluminum based alloys
pure aluminum
aluminum/5-11% silicon alloy
?Terne coating (lead/3-15% tin alloy)

There is some work being done in Europe with a Zinc/magnesium coating. The ZE-Mg coating would provide the same level of protection as the zinc and zinc aluminum using on half the coating thickness.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Galvanizing on Trailers

Electro-galvanizing as described above is the "cheaper and more modern" galvanizing method.

The electro galvanize process is for the most part an antiquated and costly process. Used mainly for products with thin coatings and as an under coating for painted parts. Has some applications in high value products as well.

 

[fishinhardwater]

Re: Galvanizing on Trailers

thank you everyone for your input