THE BIRTH OF GALVANIZING
Following the important discovery by Galvani and Volta that electricity
is generated through the contact of dissimilar metals, it was noticed
in Volta's battery that one of the two metals was always preserved from
oxidation. Stanislaus Sorel, a civil engineer working in Paris, filed
a patent on 10 May 1837 for a method of protecting iron from rust. The
patent was for "galvanic" preservation of iron either by coating
it in a bath of molten zinc or by covering it with a so-called "galvanic
paint". The method was developed by completely coating the surface
of the iron with a layer of zinc. This was the parent of the hot dip
galvanizing process |
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SERVICE LIFE 110 YEARS FIRST
MORSE CODE LINE
Several of the old poles have been tested for galvanized coating thickness
where it was found that even after 110 years exposure, the remaining poles
retained extremely heavy coating thicknesses |
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SERVICE LIFE TO DATE - 80 YEARS
In the late 1920's Victoria's State Electricity Commission completed two
132kV power lines from the Latrobe Valley to Melbourne, terminating at
Richmond in the east of the city and Yarraville to the west. In the progression
of the industry one product has kept pace with increasing demands - hot
dip galvanizing, is still being used with the same confidence of 80 years
ago. |
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SERVICE LIFE TO DATE - 39 YEARS
Shell Australia's Long Residue Catalytic Cracking Unit, Corio Victoria.
Shell Australia has recognised the need to protect the structural steel
used in the construction of its petro-chemical plants, particularly in
the harsh marine environment at its refinery at Corio near Geelong. |
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SERVICE LIFE TO DATE - 25 YEARS
The 25 metre pool was built in 1971 and enclosed in a 33m x 18.5m x 3.8m
high structure in 1975.
The seven portal frames which support the building were all hot dip galvanized
and the coating is still in good condition, measuring 80 to 120 microns,
matching the current Standard, requiring virtually no maintenance.
Heffron Park, NSW |
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SERVICE LIFE TO DATE 20 - 21 YEARS
This marks a quantum leap forward by the galvanizing industry where greatly
increased bath size and lifting capacity enabled the galvanizing of 15
metre long transom sections with a total bridge span weight of 22 tonnes.
Bridge installation was completed in about 6 hours to meet the time schedule
of the NSW Rail Authority. Coating surveys have shown negligible zinc
consumption to date, with a 100 year life a comfortable projection.
Stewart River Bridge, NSW. |
