What is galvanized steel and when should you use galvanized pipe fittings
Galvanized pipe fittings are widely used for their corrosion resistance, affordability, and availability. But what exactly does “galvanized” mean—and when should you use galvanized pipe instead of other options like carbon steel or stainless steel?
Galvanized pipes
1.What Is Galvanized Steel?
Galvanized steel is carbon or iron-based steel that has been coated with a protective layer of zinc to prevent rusting. The most common galvanizing process is hot-dip galvanizing, where the steel is submerged in molten zinc.
Zinc Coating Thickness: Typically between 40–85 microns depending on the standard.
Purpose: Zinc acts as a sacrificial layer that protects the steel beneath from moisture, oxygen, and chemical corrosion.
Hot dip Galvanized Pipe Fittings
2.Types of Galvanized Pipe Fittings
At Haihao Group, we provide galvanized pipe fittings in various materials including:
A105N Galv.: Galvanized forged steel for threaded and socket weld fittings.
A234 WPB Galv.: Galvanized carbon steel for butt-welded fittings.
A197 Galv.: Galvanized malleable iron for threaded connections.
Common fitting types include:
Galvanized elbows (45°, 90°)
Tees, unions, couplings
Reducers (concentric/eccentric)
Threaded and socket weld flanges
Cold galvanizing threaded flanges
3.Advantages of Galvanized Fittings
Corrosion Resistance: Excellent for humid, coastal, or chemical-rich environments.
Cost-Effective: Less expensive than stainless steel with reasonable durability.
Maintenance-Free: Zinc coating requires minimal upkeep over years of service.
4.Application Scenarios
Environment Recommended Use of Galvanized Fittings
Outdoor installations：Protects against rain, sun, humidity
Underground piping：Galvanized coating resists soil moisture and salts
Fire protection systems：Common in dry and wet sprinkler systems
Non-potable water systems：Cooling water, process water, etc.
Not recommended：For use in food-grade systems or with drinking water (due to possible zinc leaching)
5.Precautions
Temperature Limit: Not ideal for systems > 200°C due to zinc vaporization risk.
Avoid Acidic Media: Zinc reacts with acids and can deteriorate.
Inspect Coating Quality: Poor galvanization may flake or fail prematurely.
If you want to know more about our galvanized pipe fittings,please feel free to contact us,email:sales@haihaogroup.com