Welding Galvanized Structural Steel

The galvanized steel is removed and allowed to cool.

Welding galvanized structural steel.

While it is typically a good idea to complete any welding or fabrication before galvanizing the steel which will result in a more corrosion resistant finished product under some circumstances steel must be welded after. Tions for welding galvanized steel as for galvanizing welded steel must be integrated into the overall structural fabrication design. Galvanized steel welds similar to uncoated carbon steel when properly prepped. Welding thick galvanized coatings or butt welds or welding creases or corners where the galvanization naturally builds up benefits from grinding the galvanization off first.

Techniques for avoiding entrapment of zinc as discussed in sections 6 1 and 6 2 shall be employed. If you attempt to weld galvanized steel without removing the galvanizing from the weld area the weld puddle will pop blow out and create a health hazard to the welder and any individuals in the immediate area. The weld strength should be the same whether welding galvanized steel or not. Galvanized parts are used in a wide variety of industries including automotive structural steel construction oil field and many more.

Aws d 19 0 calls for welds of galvanized steel on areas free of zinc. It is a great process to prevent corrosion. Welding on galvanized steel can be necessary if the final structure is too large to be dipped in a galvanizing bath or for structures that must be welded in the field. Thus for galvanized structural fabrications the zinc coating should be removed at least 1 4 2 5 10 cm.

Welding galvanized steel is a dangerous task since the galvanized zinc coating on the metal becomes extremely toxic when it s heated. The intense heat generated with this arc melts the base metal and allows the joining of two components. Hot dipped galvanized steel is dipped into a vat of molten zinc which coats the steel. As long as the zinc oxide gets access to air to burn off.

Take the proper safety precautions by wearing a welding mask a good welding respirator gloves and an apron. Arc welding requires striking a low voltage high current arc between an electrode and the workpiece base metal. Preparation of base metal and welding techniques for sheet plate and structural steel are the same as for welding ungalvanized steel. Structural shapes such as angles channels are frequently hot dipped.

Structural steel welding semih genculu p e. The challenge is welding over the zinc coating.