Galvanized steel is one of the older types of pipe fittings and pipe options used for a wide variety of application. It is often the choice for water supplies into industrial types of buildings, but in the past galvanized pipe and galvanized pipe were also commonly used for residential construction and water supplies.
The Basics of Galvanized Steel
All types of galvanized steel go through a process that creates a coating of zinc on the surface of the steel. Zinc is highly resistant to oxidation (rusting) as well as to any type of corrosion. This is true even with more aggressive types of water that may quickly destroy other types of metal pipes and fittings, including copper.
In addition to the plumbing system in homes and commercial buildings, the highly protective layer of zinc also makes galvanized pipe fittings and pipe an ideal option for many types of processes and industrial types of applications. This includes use in shipbuilding and other marine types of construction and applications.
However, galvanized pipe is not used for underground lines, and it is not typically used for supplying natural gas. Particularly in old galvanized pipe fittings, the natural gas could cause the zinc to flake, which then allows particles to float in the natural gas, potentially clogging valves and orifices. Today’s galvanizing processes can be completed to much higher tolerances, virtually eliminating this issue.
Installation and Use
The combination of galvanized pipe and pipe fittings makes for easy installation. There is a range of different fittings, some made of different malleable metals that are galvanized, making them a lower cost option and easier to produce than steel.
These are typically found in all standard pipe sizes. Most are designed to be threaded onto pipe, making them an ideal choice in tees, unions, nipples, elbows, and couplings.
