Authored by Bernardo A. Duran III
The corrosion rate of zinc is directly influenced by atmospheric conditions. Certain factors that specifically affect the corrosion of zinc include: temperature, humidity, rainfall, sulfur dioxide (pollution) concentration in the air, and air salinity. None of these factors can be singled out as the main contributor to zinc corrosion, but they all play a role in determining the corrosion protection hot-dip galvanized (zinc) coatings can provide in certain environments. When galvanizing is exposed to the natural wet and dry cycles of the atmosphere, it develops a series of zinc byproducts on the surface called the patina. The patina is stable and non-reactive unless exposed to aggressive chlorides or sulfides. The patina is a key component in the longevity of the hot-dip galvanized coating in the atmosphere. Independent and industry testing of galvanized steel samples over decades in industrial, urban, rural, and marine environments, with varying degrees of chlorides, sulfides and other corrosive elements, has yielded performance data for galvanized steel in real world applications. For results, view the Time to First Maintenance chart below.