Should You Use Galvanised or Non Galvanised Steel for Your Project?

Steel is a very versatile material that is used across many different projects and applications across various industries. There are multiple types of steel to choose from that all offer something unique to suit particular projects. Two of the most common types of steel are galvanised and non-galvanised steel, which both provide something completely different from each other. Many industries and metalwork enthusiasts often come across the challenge of choosing between these two steels for their projects and determining which one works best for their needs. Both can be used for a wide variety of applications, and both offer unique properties that can help create a flawless, high-quality and lasting finish to any project.

To help you decide which steel is best for you, Rapid Metals has created this insightful guide that compares galvanised vs non-galvanised steel. We’ve outlined what they are, the differences between them and which one’s best for different types of projects, so that you can use the best material for every application and create a high-quality finish that’s built to last.

What is Galvanised Steel?

So, what is galvanised steel? This material is basically a steel that’s coated with a layer of zinc that’s applied through the galvanisation process. The reason for adding this zinc coating is to toughen the steel and create a protective barrier that avoids rust and corrosion. Doing this makes the material much stronger and durable, so you can use it for harsher applications and conditions without worrying about breakage or damage. Galvanised steel is designed to provide a long-lasting appearance and functionality that offers excellent quality. Galvanisation is typically done through hot-dip galvanising, which is when the steel is completely submerged in molten zinc for an even coating that gives unparalleled protection.

What is Non-Galvanised Steel?

Non-galvanised steel doesn’t have the protective coating and is known as plain or untreated steel. It still offers great strength and excellent versatility, but it can easily rust and corrode. This is especially the case when the material is put in an environment that’s exposed to chemicals, moisture or harsh environmental conditions. Due to this, non-galvanised steel is perfect for projects that aren’t in these types of environments and corrosion isn’t a concern. It can also be protected to use it in these environments through painting it or using other coatings.

The Differences Between Galvanised and Non-Galvanised Steel

There are a few vital differences between galvanised and non-galvanised steel that can help you decide which one is best for your project. These differences are:

• Durability: Galvanised steel’s zinc coating provides exceptional durability for long-lasting results and prevention against rust and corrosion. As for non-galvanised steel, it still offers good durability, but without a coating, it can be more prone to rust and corrosion, which means that it’s not as durable.
• Corrosion Resistance: Galvanised steel is highly resistant to corrosion and rust, so it can be used in harsher conditions and outdoor environments, while non-galvanised steel cannot be used for these conditions because it can corrode and rust.
• Applications: What each steel is used for is different. Galvanised steel is more popular to use in construction, outdoor structures and fencing, while non-galvanised steel is used for indoor projects or where corrosion isn’t a concern.
• Cost: Non-galvanised steel can initially be more affordable than galvanised because it doesn’t have the zinc coating, which puts the initial cost up. However, over time, galvanised steel can be cheaper because it lasts longer due to its exceptional resistance to corrosion and rust.

What Are the Properties of Galvanised Steel?

Galvanised steel has many different properties that can suit your specific project and create a flawless, quality result. The key properties of this type of steel are:

• Exceptional Strength and Durability: Galvanised steel improves the strength and durability of steel, making it much stronger and resistant to breakage, damage and corrosion. The strength can withstand heavy-duty applications and demanding conditions, while still providing a quality look and finish.
• Unmatched Corrosion Resistance: One of the main properties of this steel is that it has a high resistance to corrosion and rust because of the zinc coating. This is a barrier that protects the steel from moisture and corrosive elements, providing you with a steel that lasts in the harshest environments.
• Great Heat Resistance: Another beneficial property of galvanised steel is the great heat resistance it offers. It can withstand moderate temperatures due to the zinc coating, which can protect the steel up to around 200°C, so you can use it for projects that expose the material to heat.
• Moderate Resistance to Chemicals: Galvanised steel’s zinc coating helps the material to withstand environmental contaminants, without a chemical reaction. This means that it can provide great performance even in industrial or polluted environments. However, it cannot be used for highly corrosive environments.
• Low Maintenance: Galvanised steel offers a long lifespan for most environments, without the need for constant maintenance. This helps to save money over time because you don’t need to maintain the structure with new materials.

What Are the Properties of Non-Galvanised Steel?

Non-galvanised steel also provides many useful properties, which can suit your project more than galvanised steel. The main properties that can be useful for this material are:

• Good Hardness: Non-galvanised steel offers good hardness when you choose one with a higher carbon content. This high carbon content improves the hardness of the material, which makes it much more resistant to deformation. It can be used for tough applications where the structure needs to remain strong and intact.
• Great Strength and Ductility: This material showcases great tensile strength and ductility, which makes it perfect for structural projects and manufacturing processes that need to shape the steel without it breaking. The strength can be further improved when coated with paint or other coatings.
• Mixed Composition: Non-galvanised steel is usually made of iron and carbon, but sometimes it can be made up of other elements too, such as manganese, silicon and other metals, which can benefit certain projects.
• High Reactivity: This material has a high reactivity to oxygen and moisture when it’s not protected. It can mean that there’s an increased chance of rusting and corrosion.

What Are the Uses of Galvanised Steel?

The uses of galvanised steel are very versatile, allowing many industries to use it for different applications. There are some key uses of galvanised steel that many professionals and metalwork enthusiasts use this strong, reliable and lasting material.

The main uses of galvanised steel are for construction because of its unmatched strength, durability and resistance to corrosion and rust. It can be used for roofing, structural frameworks, beams, bridges and even outdoor fixtures because it has the ability to withstand harsh weather conditions and demanding environments. For the same reason of withstanding harsh elements and conditions, the material is also used for agriculture and outdoor structures, such as livestock enclosures, outdoor equipment and fencing.

Galvanised steel is typically used in the automotive industry due to its unparalleled strength and resistance to corrosion and rust, which is vital for vehicles as they’re constantly exposed to the elements and can rust and corrode easily. This is why it’s used for car bodies, exhaust systems and the undercarriage of the vehicle to improve the lifespan of the vehicle and keep the structure intact, even when it’s exposed to the harshest conditions. For similar reasons and its impressive protective layer to stop rust and corrosion, galvanised steel is also used for industrial and marine projects. It’s perfect for HVAC systems, marine-grade components and electrical poles.

What Are the Uses of Non-Galvanised Steel?

There are multiple uses of non-galvanised steel that are quite different from the uses of galvanised steel. This can help you to determine which metal is best for your project and choose the perfect material that provides a flawless finish that lasts.

One of the main uses of galvanised steel is for indoor construction because it has good strength and ductility. This means that it can create strong structural components for the indoors, as long as it’s used in an environment where exposure to moisture is minimal. It’s typically used for beams, reinforcements and columns, and can offer strong support that lasts in these environments.

As well as this, non-galvanised steel is usually used for manufacturing car parts that aren’t exposed to harsh elements. Using this material in these areas of a vehicle ensures that the components last and offer strong and durable working parts that owners can rely on. It’s used for engine parts and interior frames, so that it’s not exposed to the elements to prevent rust and corrosion. This material is also great for manufacturing machinery and tools that need to work in controlled environments and aren’t exposed to harsh conditions, reducing the risk of rust and corrosion.

Does Galvanised Steel Rust?

Many wonder does galvanised steel rust? This material doesn’t rust because it has a protective layer of zinc that toughens the steel and prevents it from rusting and corroding. Due to this, galvanised steel can last longer and be used in harsh conditions and for heavy-duty applications. As for non-galvanised steel, this doesn’t have a protective layer, so it’s more prone to rust and corrosion when exposed to harsh elements.

Can You Weld Galvanised Steel?

Another common question when it comes to whether galvanised steel is the right material for your project is can you weld galvanised steel? You can weld this material, but it needs to be done properly and safely because the zinc coating can create weld defects and toxic fumes. This means that you need to carefully prepare to use this material and only weld in a well-ventilated area, while wearing welding protective gear.

Non-galvanised steel is easier to weld because it doesn’t have that protective layer of zinc. However, you still need to ensure that you weld safely and prepare properly to avoid any mistakes and harmful fumes.

Can You Powder Coat Galvanised Steel?

So, can you powder coat galvanised steel? It is possible to powder coat this material, but it does come with certain challenges due to the zinc coating. This means that you have to prepare the surface properly to apply the powder coat and carry out precise outgassing to avoid any bubbling.

With non-galvanised steel, it’s easier to powder coat because there is no coating on it. However, it still needs to be properly prepared to coat the steel with the powder effectively.

Galvanised Vs Non-Galvanised Steel: Which One is Best for Your Project?

When it comes to galvanised vs non-galvanised steel and which one is best for your project, it all depends on your needs and applications. Galvanised steel will be the best for you if you need to use the material in outdoor environments or areas exposed to moisture and harsh elements. The protective zinc coating means that it doesn’t rust or corrode, so is vital for projects that need to withstand varying weather conditions and demanding environments. So, if your project faces rain, humidity, chemicals or exposure to the outdoors, galvanised steel will work for you.

Non-galvanised steel doesn’t have the coating that protects it from rust and corrosion, which means that it’s ideal for any project that focuses on the indoors or controlled environments where corrosion isn’t a concern. It’s also best if your project requires affordability, welding and painted finishes because this material is cheaper, easier to weld and better to paint.

Our Selection of Galvanised and Non-Galvanised Steel

Rapid Metals is one of the leading steel suppliers that stock a wide range of steel sections to suit your needs. We offer various sections of galvanised and non-galvanised steel to suit your individual needs and project. You can easily find the right type of steel for the job and create flawless, lasting and high-quality structures and components that are made for your project. Plus, we also offer cut-to-size sections for unique and difficult measurements to reduce waste and make your project run much more smoothly. Browse our steel sections and find plenty of galvanised and non-galvanised steel that work for you.