Structural steel
Structural Steel refers to hot-rolled steel shapes produced with specific chemical compositions and mechanical properties designed for use in construction and heavy engineering.
Characteristics and Relevance
The key characteristic of structural steel is its high tensile strength and yield strength, making it capable of supporting significant loads without permanent deformation. It comes in standard shapes like I-beams, H-sections, channels, angles, and, crucially, structural hollow sections (tubes and pipes).
In the context of galvanizing, structural steel is essential because:
- Durability: Components like scaffolding, solar torque tubes, and bridge supports, which are fabricated from structural tubing, require galvanizing to ensure they maintain their load-bearing capacity against corrosion over decades.
- Standards: Its specifications are governed by international standards (e.g., ASTM A36, IS 2062). Adherence to these standards is critical, as the silicon content in structural steel can greatly influence the thickness, adhesion, and appearance of the final galvanized coating.
Therefore, galvanizing provides the necessary defense for the high-performance structural steel used in all critical infrastructure.