Electrogalvanizing

Electrogalvanizing is a "cold" process used to apply a protective zinc coating to steel. Unlike hot-dip galvanizing, which involves dunking the steel in molten zinc, electrogalvanizing uses an electrolytic cell. The steel strip or tube is passed through a bath of zinc salts while an electric current is applied. Zinc ions from the anode are deposited onto the steel cathode, creating a bond at the molecular level. The result is an incredibly thin, uniform, and smooth coating. In the tube industry, this is preferred for products that require a "Class A" finish, such as appliance handles or automotive trim, because the surface is smooth enough to be painted without the "orange peel" texture associated with hot-dipped coatings.