Galvanized steel pipe is coated in zinc to protect it from corrosion and is commonly used for exterior construction. The hot dip galvanizing process chemically bonds the two metals, resulting in a stronger and longer lasting steel. It was commonly used for home plumbing until copper replaced it due to scale buildup. It is still used for small plumbing repairs and outdoor applications. The pipes are usually connected by threads or welding, but caution must be taken when welding due to the release of zinc fumes.
Galvanized steel pipe is a zinc coated steel pipe. This coating protects the steel from corrosion. It is most commonly used for exterior construction such as fences and handrails, or for some interior plumbing. It is also sometimes called galvanized iron pipe.
The electroplating process was first discussed by scientists in the 1770s, nearly 60 years before it was finally introduced in the 1830s. French engineer Stanislaus Tranquille Modeste Sorel was granted the first patent for the process in 1937 and began manufacturing it right away After. By the 1850s, Europe was producing galvanized steel from manufacturing plants located across the continent. The United States followed soon after, opening its first factory in 1870.
To create galvanized steel pipes, steel materials are placed in a molten bath of zinc. This process is also called hot dip galvanizing. The two metals are chemically bonded to each other in this process and therefore will never separate, resulting in a stronger and longer lasting version of steel.
This type of pipe is not suited to gas lines, but was very commonly used for complete home plumbing until the mid to late 1900s when copper replaced it as the preferred pipe material. It was discovered at the time that scale buildup occurred faster in galvanized steel pipes than in copper or plastic. It is still sometimes used indoors for plumbing, particularly for replacing small areas of pipe, where the flow will not be severely disrupted by sections of limestone.
Outdoor applications are a more common use of galvanized steel pipe in the modern era. It is more likely to be seen on fences or handrails. It is highly resistant to corrosion, making it a perfect choice for goods or materials that will be regularly exposed to the elements.
Galvanized steel pipe is usually connected by threads at both ends of a pipe run. A small amount of adhesive is typically placed on the threads before screwing them together, in order to strengthen the connection. If no threads are available, the pipes and fittings can be welded together, although care must be taken as the heat of welding can release dangerous zinc fumes into the air. Pipes can be cut using a chop saw or hacksaw.
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