At CSM, we manufacture a variety of metal deck that can be used for applications in commercial construction. The material that we use to manufacture all of our metal decking products is often made with galvanized steel. If you are not familiar with metal and steel products, you may be wondering: what is galvanized steel?
In this article, we will review the galvanizing process and why we use galvanized steel for our products.
The Galvanizing Process
The galvanizing process adds a protective coating to flat sheets of steel. This coating is typically made from zinc, which helps prevent the steel from rusting.
The most common way to galvanize steel is with the hot dip galvanizing process. During this process, the steel is placed in an acid bath to remove steel scale – a kind of iron oxide that creates a flaky texture on the steel.
Once the scale is removed, the steel is placed in a bath of molten zinc. The zinc bonds to the steel, instantly creating a rust-resistant protective coating. Trace amounts of other elements, like aluminum, help reinforce the bond of the protective coating, and make the steel more malleable.
Galvanized steel typically ranges from 0.4 ounces of protective coating per square foot to 0.9 ounces of protective coating per square foot, with the most common weight at 0.6 ounces of protective coating per square foot. Most often, the heavier coating will provide more protection from damaging or corrosive elements. For example, G90 (galvanized steel with 0.9 ounces of coating per square foot) can be used in areas with high humidity or other extreme environmental factors, while G40 (galvanized steel with 0.4 ounces of coating per square foot) would be better used in areas with more mild environmental elements.
Why We Use Galvanized Steel
Because of its protective coating, galvanized steel creates long-lasting metal deck products. That means that we can save our clients money by providing them with a quality product that will not need to be replaced or repaired often. Additionally, thanks to the additional elements in the zinc bath, it is more malleable than other steel, which allows us to more easily manufacture all different types of metal deck.
High-Quality Metal Deck from CSM
At CSM, we produce metal roof and floor deck in a variety of widths, depths, and gauges, using G60 and G90 galvanized steel.
Experience the difference of long-lasting, high-quality metal deck from a knowledgable manufacturer. Contact us today to get started on your order of metal deck. Our staff will be happy to help you find the best product for your specific needs.
