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Galvanizing truck frames - possible?

I am a resident of a coastal community (high corrosion environment) and wondered if anyone could comment on the feasibility of hot dip galvanizing of truck and auto frames. It seems the facilities are fairly common and the services are very reasonable. I'm sure this is overkill considering the service life of an average vehicle, but I know many coastal truck owners that would choose this option when buying a new vehicle. Is there a metallurgical reason it cannot be done? Are there frame flexing issues that would cause premature failure? Could a previously painted frame be hot dip galvanized successfully? Does this high temp process change the quality of the steel in any way?

Joseph Carswell
- Wilmington, North Carolina
2003

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Hi,

It is possible to hot dip galvanize truck-frames. Some car-frames can also be hot dipped!

To get the best result out of it, you'll have to make sure that the molten zinc can be drained out of the construction as well as you will have to make sure that air can come out of the constructions. In any doubt - ask the galvanizing company about holes for air and draining. A painted truck frame can also be hot dip galvanized. Most companies will tell you to sand-blast the painted frame before you handle it over to the hot dip galvanizing company. When sandblasted first, you'll get the same galvanizing quality as if it was a unpainted truck frame.

The temperature in the molten zinc bath is about 450-460 C. but that should not weaken the construction in any way.

Best of luck,

Poul Søndergaard
- Denmark
2003