Cover your steel with the best
South Cape Galvanising recently celebrated their first birthday under new ownership. These specialists in metal coating rose like a phoenix and spread their wings to accommodate much bigger operations. Manager Johan Naudé says their new plant is using a bigger "kettle" and can now galvanise beams up to 11m in length, and bigger gates (6m x 2m). "Previously this was not possible, and products had to be sent to Cape Town. This is no longer necessary because we can do it right here in George," he says.
Metallurgical bond
The technique used at South Cape Galvanising is called hot-dip galvanising, and involves the process of coating iron and steel with zinc. The process results in a metallurgical bond between the zinc and steel. The zinc alloys with the surface of the steel when the metal is immersed in a bath of molten zinc at a temperature of around 449°C. Galvanised steel is a strong material that protects the base metal from corrosion. The coating protects the base metal by acting as a barrier between the metal and the atmosphere.
Green at heart
Naudé is very proud of their plant's exceptionally light carbon footprint. He says being environmentally friendly is one of their business's top priorities. "With our new filtration systems our impact on the environment has been decreased even more," he says. "The last tests show that our plant's operations have almost no effect on the environment." The business makes use of the company Enviroserve to transport their waste.
Why galvanise?
Galvanising is lower in first cost than many other commonly specified protective coatings for steel. It is also almost invariably the cheapest option in the long term, because it lasts longer and needs less maintenance. The life expectancy of galvanised coating on structures is in excess of 50 years in most rural environments, and more than 25 years in areas with severe coastal and urban exposure.
A galvanised coating has a unique metallurgical structure which gives outstanding resistance to mechanical damage during transport, erection and service.
Every part of a galvanised product is protected - even sharp corners and inaccessible areas. No coating applied to a structure or fabrication after completion can provide the same protection. A galvanised process is not dependent on weather conditions and the product can be used and erected the moment the process has been finished. No time is lost on surface preparation, painting and inspection.
South Cape Galvanising is open to the public on weekdays, Monday to Thursday from 08:00 to 17:00, and Friday from 08:00 to 15:00. Business is closed on Saturdays. For information or bookings, phone 044 874 4284.