Ask. Dr.

Galv

Q: What are the appearance requirements of

batch hot-dip galvanizing specifications?
A: ASTM specifications ASTM
A123/A123M, A153/A153M, A767, and
A385 all discuss appearance requirements.
Although these requirements are slightly
different for each specification, they
are very similar overall. Here are the
summarized appearance requirements of
A123/A123M, A153/A153M, and A767:
The galvanized coating must be free
of bare areas, blisters, flux deposits,
and gross dross inclusions.
Globules or excess zinc that will
interfere with the intended use of
the product are not permitted.
Edge tears or spikes which are
dangerous to handle are not permitted.
Projections or minor surface
roughness that do not interfere with
the intended use of the product are
not rejectable.
You will notice none of these requirements
discuss variation in appearance or color,
such as mottling (Figures 1 and 2), matte
gray finishes (Figure 3), or dark finishes
(Figure 4). The appearance requirements
of the above hot-dip galvanizing
specifications focus on ensuring a quality
galvanized coating is applied to the steel,
as opposed to visual differences in the
color of the galvanized coating. The reason
for this is the color differences do not
affect the corrosion performance of the
galvanized coating.

Figure 1

Ask

Dr. Galv

Figure 2

ASTM A385 is the only batch hot-dip

galvanizing specification that discusses
variation in appearance or color and states,
in general, hot-dip galvanized coatings are
specified for corrosion protection rather
than appearance. This specification goes
on to state the corrosion protection of
galvanized coatings with varied appearances
is equal for all practical purposes.

Figure 3

In summary, your biggest concerns in

meeting the appearance requirements
of ASTM galvanizing specifications
address safety and ensuring a high quality
galvanized coating that will provide good
corrosion protection is applied to the steel.
Your customer can be sure even though
visual differences in the coating might
It is also important to note touch-up exist and are not rejectable, they are still
materials can alter the appearance of the getting a high quality galvanized coating
galvanizing finish as they are not usually that will last for many years.
an exact color match. These variations are
not cause for rejection. As the galvanized
coating weathers over time, variation in
appearance due to steel chemistry and
touch-up materials will usually assume a
more uniform appearance.
But are your customers allowed to reject
their galvanized steel when it does vary in
color? The answer is no, not according to
the above requirements. The only exception
is when you agree to provide a galvanized
coating with a specific appearance, such as
for architecturally exposed structural steel.
In those cases, steel selection is usually of
utmost importance and a price premium
is usually added to the job to account
for possibly having to galvanize the steel
multiple times to ensure the desired
appearance is achieved. These kinds of
stipulations should be included in the
purchase order.

Figure 4