Galvanising keeps eye on the environment

Citation

Roberts, P. (2006), "Galvanising keeps eye on the environment", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 53 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2006.12853eab.002

Galvanising keeps eye on the environment

Galvanising keeps eye on the environment

Keywords: Environmental management, Steel, Zinc

Galvanising can be seen as an effective and all together sustainable process which by offering a life of between 50 and 60 years can make a massive contribution to environmental planning. This is particularly true when you consider that for every two tonnes of steel made, approximately one ton is to replace steel lost to rust!

The process of galvanising uses zinc to form a protective coating around mild steel. It is often assumed that such practices are harmful to the environment, but what effect does zinc actually have on the environment?

Zinc is one of the commonest natural components of the earths crust, it is completely non-toxic and occurs naturally in soil, air, water and the biosphere, making it an essential element in the health of all living organisms. The use of Zinc in galvanising has a positive effect on the environment, with less than 1 percent of atmospheric zinc originating from man's activities – the rest being produced from nature.

Steel corrosions costs an estimated 4 percent of the UK GNP each year. By protecting steel against corrosion it helps to reduce a significant drain on the economy. The zinc steel combination also delivers considerable other benefits: a zinc coating prolongs steel's durability, requires no maintenance and, therefore, there is no service interruption, which keeps budgets low without compromising on safety. With diminishing levels of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere, it also means that galvanising now lasts longer than ever before, making it even more cost effective.

Recyclability is a key issue for future sustainability. With Zinc being 100 percent recyclable, it can be re- used indefinitely without loss of physical or chemical properties.

For all these reasons, zinc is a truly efficient and sustainable material that reinforces economic growth while protecting the environment.

Looking at Medway Galvanising's most prominent recent projects, hundreds of complex steel frames destined to carry all of the power, data and other service provisions within Heathrow's new Terminal 5 are being corrosion protected by the company.

The powder coating and galvanising specialist is undertaking the work for WS Britland, a structural steel fabricator and manufacturer of bespoke architectural metalwork in a contract set to run until early 2006.

The Works Foreman for WS Britland, Gordon Charlton, comments: “We fabricate everything from gates to bridges, from stairways to structural steel frames for buildings. We are also pipework specialists and were awarded the contract to produce the modular steelwork units, with pipework and electrical trays for AMEC the mechanical and electrical contractor at Terminal 5.”

“We choose to use Medway Galvanising not simply because of the company's convenient location for us, but also because of the speed of turnaround and the quality of the work. Their quality systems match our own and they give us support when needed in a professional manner.”

The specially designed frames are delivered to the Heathrow site as a finished item, ready to receive electrical and data cabling as well as having the connections made to the prefabricated pipework to take both potable water and sewerage services.

Phil RobertsMedway Galvanising