Posted 2008-10-18 11:23 PM (#93230) Subject: Galvanized vs. Galvanneal?
Regular
Posts: 62 Location: Houston
I asked a trailer dealer about the difference between "galvanized" and "galvanneal" steel. He said, "The electro galvenized is far superior to the galvanneal method. Paint goes on much better." Is this correct? I live in Houston where it's very humid and everything rusts like crazy, and I've read that the galvanneal helps with this, but then I ran across a brochure touting the "galvanized" and I wasn't sure of the differences. Thanks for any information!
Posted 2008-10-19 10:37 AM (#93235 - in reply to #93230) Subject: RE: Galvanized vs. Galvanneal?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
It's been my impression that the galvaneal process involves a heating of the zinc coating that bonds it to the base metal, where as the galvanizing process involves dipping the metal into a hot bath of zinc. I believe the latter results in a more brittle bonding, that is not as durable, malleable or plastic as the other process.
Neither process can result in a product that is directly applied to an aluminum part without a barrier coating. This would include fasteners.
Posted 2008-10-20 1:34 PM (#93284 - in reply to #93230) Subject: RE: Galvanized vs. Galvanneal?
Member
Posts: 10
Location: Helena, Montana
Most trailer manufacturers use the "Galvanneal" process which will prevents rust but will not be as effective as Galvanized steel. The easiest way to explain it is Galvanized is like chain link fence. It will along time before you see any rust. Typically trailers with "steel" frames and aluminum sides (Galvanneal or Galvanized) use a 3M tape to prevent any electrolysis between the two different types of metals. If you can afford it I would go with an aluminum trailer is the humid and salty climate. Less chance down the road of problems with rust!
Posted 2008-10-22 7:47 PM (#93432 - in reply to #93230) Subject: RE: Galvanized vs. Galvanneal?
Member
Posts: 6
Location: Vada, Georgia
Galvanneal actually forms an alloy with the steel, whereas galvanized is just a coating. As with anything, there are different grades of these materials. The A-60 grade of galvanneal is very rust and corrosion resistant and can be left out in the weather for years unpainted without rusting. Alot of automobile manufacturers use this galvanneal for sheet metal which is a large reason that you don't see as much rust as you did back in the 70's and 80's. Paint will usually not stick to galvanized very well, whereas galvanneal has very good paint adhesion. Having used both products for many years, galvanneal is definitely the better of the two for horse trailers. Hope this helps.
Posted 2008-10-25 10:02 PM (#93635 - in reply to #93230) Subject: RE: Galvanized vs. Galvanneal?
Regular
Posts: 62 Location: Houston
This weekend a trailer dealer told me that galvanized and galvanneal were two different words for exactly the same thing. After reading all this, I knew better but didn't argue. :)
Galvanized vs. Galvanneal?
