For farmers

Agricultural Buildings and Galvanizing

Steel is one of the most commonly used materials in agriculture. It is strong, versatile and economic. Consequently it is used for a variety of different applications from agricultural buildings, fences, gates to feeding barriers and appliances.

However, steel must be protected or it will rust, and that costs the agriculture industry many millions of pounds every year. The method you choose to protect your steel work today could have a major influence on the time and money that must be spent tomorrow.

What is needed is an economic, long lasting method of steel protection. It has to be tough, safe to use with animals and crops and needs little maintenance.

Hot dip galvanizing meets all these needs.

What is galvanizing

Hot dip galvanizing is the process of coating iron or steel with a layer of zinc by immersing the metal in a bath of molten zinc at a temperature of around 842 °F (450 °C).

During the galvanizing process, a metallurgically bonded coating is formed which protects the steel from harsh environments, whether they be external or internal.

The unique nature of the galvanizing process provides a tough and abrasion resistant coating which means less site damage and speedy erection of structures.

Benefits of galvanizing for agricultural buildings

Galvanized steel is widely used in the agricultural industry for a large number of agricultural buildings and applications from live stock markets, milking parlours for dairy cattle, portal frame buildings, animal pens on farms to steel gates for fields.

Galvanizing Toughness

Microsection of hot dip galvanized coating showing variations in hardness through the coating

5 reasons to choose galvanizing for agricultural buildings
  1. Great value for money
  2. Long life
  3. Toughness
  4. Protects externally and internally
  5. Hygienic for use around animals

Read more about the benefits of using galvanized steel in agriculture.

 

Specifying galvanizing for agricultural buildings

Agricultural Buildings LeafletMost people who specify galvanizing for use in the agricultural industry are familiar with the excellent corrosion protection that it provides for articles that are only subject to atmospheric corrosion.

End users therefore often anticipate that the galvanized steel will provide a very long maintenance free life time well in excess of 20 years.

Specifying materials and products can be a complex and confusing process. Specifying galvanizing however is very straightforward.  To ensure you get the correct coating for your steel follow these simple steps:

  1. In the UK hot dip galvanized agricultural steel building frames should be supplied to BS 5502: Code of Practice for the Design of Buildings and Structures in Agriculture.
  2. Make reference to Part 21 of BS 5502 where specification of hot dip galvanizing is cited.
  3. This will ensure that EN ISO 1461 is also referenced as the main standard for the coating of iron and steel articles.

Click to view examples of galvanizing used for agricultural steel buildings