An expert seminar for South African civil engineers, consulting engineers, marine engineers and architects was hosted by the International Zinc Association (IZA) on 13 June in Umhlanga in KwaZulu-Natal and Cape Town in the Western Cape on 21 June 2024.
Attended by 30 consulting engineers, the seminar focused on the critical role of zinc coatings and galvanized steel, explains IZA Africa Director Simon Norton. In addition to looking in-depth at the role of zinc in corrosion protection, the seminar also delved into topics such as hot dip galvanizing, continuous galvanizing, zinc thermal spray, zinc rich paints and zinc thermal diffusion.
Zinc thermal spraying steel to ensure the corrosion protection of steel
An expert consultant in corrosion and failure investigation, Norton presented the seminars in conjunction with Terence Smith, formerly technical director of the Hot Dip Galvanizing Association of South Africa (HDGASA) and now an independent expert consultant in galvanizing.
The intensive one-day seminar provided engineers and architects with expert knowledge concerning the use of zinc as an anti-corrosion protective coating on steel. All delegates received IZA literature to accompany the seminar in the form of the IZA book ‘Essentials of Galvanizing’ published in 2020 and the new IZA book published in May 2024 entitled ‘Expert Guide to Galvanizing’.
When applied to steel, zinc acts as a sacrificial anode that corrodes preferentially, sacrificing itself to protect the underlying metal. Zinc corrodes instead of the base metal to prevent rust and degradation. Its most notable property is its ability to protect metals from corrosion through galvanic action.
As the zinc coating reacts, it forms a dense, adherent layer of byproducts known as a zinc patina which transforms the galvanized item from a shiny silver look to a matt dark grey appearance. The galvanized or zinc coated steel can then be overcoated with an organic coating, known as duplex coating of steel and a powerful means to effect long life to steel structures.
The zinc coating also acts as an additional barrier between the steel and the environment, slowing down the rate of corrosion considerably compared to unprotected exposed steel materials. As zinc corrodes, an oxy/hydroxy carbonate forms on protective zinc coatings. This self-healing process creates an impervious, coating resistant to the atmospheric environment.
IZA Africa imminently expects to offer its new zinc and corrosion protection seminar in Johannesburg and elsewhere if so requested. Consulting engineering firms are encouraged to contact IZA Africa about its experts presenting zinc in corrosion protection in the convenience of their own offices.
To book your place, email zinc@iafrica.com or call 082 831 2924.
Ends
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Notes to the Editor
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About the International Zinc Association (IZA)
The IZA is the only global industry association dedicated exclusively to the interests of zinc and its users. Operating internationally and locally in Africa through the IZA Africa Desk, the IZA helps sustain the long-term global demand for zinc and its markets by promoting such key end uses as corrosion protection for steel and zinc as essential in human health and crop nutrition. IZA’s main programmes are Zinc Use Research, Sustainability & Environment, Technology & Market Development and technical Communications.
In South Africa, the IZA plays a vital role in establishing the basis for the successful growth of the zinc industry by increasing awareness of zinc and its applications and benefits in key sectors and markets.
International Zinc Association Contact
Simon Norton
Director
IZA Africa
Phone: (021) 788 9980
Cell: 082 831 2924
Email: zinc@iafrica.com
Web: www.zinc.org
Media Contact
Rachel Mekgwe
Senior Account Executive
NGAGE Public Relations
Phone: (011) 867-7763
Cell: 074 212 1422
Email: rachel@ngage.co.za
Web: www.ngage.co.za
- IZA Africa hosts expert seminar on the role of zinc in corrosion protection_approved
IZA Africa hosts expert seminar on the role of zinc in corrosion protection_approved -
An expert consultant in corrosion and failure investigation, Norton presented the seminars in conjunction with Terence Smith
Attended by 30 consulting engineers, the seminar focused on the critical role of zinc coatings and galvanized steel
IZA Africa hosts expert seminar on the role of zinc in corrosion protection
Zinc thermal spraying steel to ensure the corrosion protection of steel
