The industry of steel manufacturing and supplying is constantly evolving with today’s technology. Structures that have been built in the past usually required much more steel from suppliers than is necessary today due to improvements within the industry. For example, 83,000 tons of steel was needed for the Golden Gate Bridge, but only half of that would be needed now. Despite all of the improvements the industry has made, there are still several myths surrounding the use of stainless steel strapping and galvanized steel strapping. Here are some common myths about steel and corrosion.
First, many people are under the impression that corrosion is just caused by moisture, but that’s a common misconception. While oxygen can be dissolved in moisture on the surface of any steel sheet, it’s much easier for steel to rust when it becomes moist. However, rusting and corrosion will occur even if there is no moisture because oxygen is always in the air. The best way to prevent corrosion is to use a coating.
Another common myth about steel and corrosion is that painting doesn’t offer sufficient protection from rust. While moisture left on the surface of a steel sheet can cause rust, a generous coating of paint can offer a good level of protection from corrosion. Scratches in the steel itself and sheared edges may be susceptible, but as long as the paint properly adheres to the steel sheet, there will be a solid barrier of protection against rust.
Finally, many people also seem to think that fretting and corrosion are the same thing, when in fact, they are not. According to GalvInfo, fretting occurs on metal surfaces in mechanical assemblies (bolted, riveted, keyed, or pinned joints) and electrical contacts, but can occur on galvanized sheet under certain conditions. This means that while fretting may not look good on any sheet metal, it’s highly unlikely to cause any other major issues and will not, in most cases, compromise the effectiveness of the galvanic protection.
Ultimately, these are just a few myths surrounding the steel strapping and galvanized steel industry. As the industry continues to improve, new technology will surface and perhaps the possibility of corrosion will one day be eliminated completely. Until then, it’s always better to opt for galvanized steel.
