What is galvannealing?

Galvannealing, also known as galvannealed steel, is a process in which a hot-dip galvanized coating is annealed to produce a matte-textured surface with a uniform thickness. The process is typically used to strengthen steel and make it more resistant to corrosion and rust.

Galvannealed steel is preferred over regular galvanized steel in harsher environments and outdoor applications because of its improved corrosion resistance. The steel is created by coating it with a layer of zinc, which acts as a sacrificial layer that corrodes instead of the underlying steel. This process also creates a matte surface that is more visually appealing than galvanized steel.

The galvannealing process involves heating the steel in a furnace with a blend of 90 percent zinc and 10 percent iron. The heated steel is then allowed to cool slowly, which allows the zinc and iron to react and create a coating that is up to six times thicker than that on regular galvanized steel.

Galvannealing is commonly used in the automotive industry for parts such as body panels, chassis, and exhaust systems. It is also used in the construction industry for roofing and siding, and in the manufacturing sector for appliances, electrical enclosures, and HVAC systems.