Galvanizing steel pallets and shipping containers

Storage and handling companies rely on steel for everyday logistics of items, both big and small. To ensure your goods get from A to B, make sure you’re transporting them with the help of galvanized steel.

What is galvanized steel?

Hot dip galvanizing, which we often shorten to “galvanizing“, is a steel coating method that protects against corrosion. It’s done by dipping the metal into a bath of molten zinc, which forms a type of bond that means it can withstand corrosion from moisture and atmospheric attack.

Galvanizing your steel pallets and shipping containers means they last longer thanks to these corrosion-protection qualities. This enhanced lifespan means you save time and money on repairs and replacement steel. It also means that galvanizing has a cheaper lifetime cost than alternative coating methods such as paint, due to a reduced need to recoat.

Benefits of galvanizing for pallets and shipping containers

Galvanizing steel pallets and shipping containers and improving their corrosion-resistant properties brings several advantages for the transportation and logistics sector. These include:

Corrosion resistance

The primary reason why people galvanize their steel is because of the corrosion resistance qualities it gives to steel. Galvanization acts as a protective barrier against rust caused by moisture, chemicals, and diverse weather conditions. In the transport industry, where these assets face harsh environments during transit and storage, resistance to corrosion is especially important for maintaining structural integrity and ensuring cargo safety.

You can reliably use them on longer journeys without worrying about losing or damaging items due to corrosion.

Extended lifespan

By protecting against corrosion, galvanized steel pallets and containers enjoy a significantly longer lifespan compared to ungalvanized ones. This means cost savings for fabricators and end-users, reducing replacements and maintenance frequency while improving overall efficiency.

Durability and strength

Galvanization reinforces steel’s inherent strength without compromising its structural integrity. Steel pallets and containers undergo significant stress during handling and transportation. Galvanized surfaces offer exceptional resistance to scratches, abrasions, and mechanical damage, ensuring continued performance under rigorous usage.

Environmental sustainability

Galvanizing is an environmentally friendly solution and fits into a circular economy, as the zinc coating is recyclable and poses minimal environmental hazards. The prolonged lifespan of galvanized steel reduces the need for frequent replacements, contributing to reduced resource consumption and waste generation.

Reduced maintenance costs

Galvanized steel requires minimal maintenance compared to untreated steel. The protective layer reduces the need for ongoing upkeep, saving time and resources for fabricators and users. This low-maintenance feature enhances operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Protect large containers

Galvanizing is also suitable for large steel shipping containers. Unlike painting, which is a very manual and labour-intensive process, the galvanizing process is done at a galvanizing plant. Depending on the company, they can accommodate for even the largest of fabrications depending on the bath sizes they offer.

Stand out on the roads with powder coating

Galvanizing by itself is an excellent choice for protecting your steel against corrosion. However, you can increase your steel’s durability even more with powder coating.

Powder coating is a steel coating method that can be used alongside galvanizing, to protect your steel against corrosion even more than with galvanizing alone. It’s considered to be the superior alternative to paint because it shares many of the benefits of paint without compromising on corrosion protection.

Unlike paint, which acts only as a surface-level coating, powder coating synergises with hot dip galvanizing by creating a durable bond that resists chipping and corrosion.

Powder coating doesn’t just bring extra durability – it also has aesthetic appeal. Like traditional paint, powder coating comes in a wide range of colours, and you can even choose from different finishes such as metallic or glitter. Adding colour to your shipping containers could be an opportunity to help your brand be recognisable; if people see a bright colour transporting their goods, they’re sure to remember it.

Even if bright colours aren’t your thing, you can always choose to powder coat in a traditional silver colour, helping to extend the lifespan of your steel and maintain its smooth and shiny appearance.

Joseph Ash Galvanizing for transportation companies

We understand the unique requirements for transportation companies. We offer the highest quality galvanizing at our nine UK sites, as well as a one-stop-shop facility for powder coating, galvanizing and shot blasting at our Medway plant.

We’ll collect and deliver your steel to our site ✔️
Comprehensive technical support, guidance and assistance at every stage ✔️
Hot dip galvanized to BS EN ISO 1461 standards ✔️
Widest bath in the UK – perfect for wide steel pallets ✔️

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If you work in the roads, highways, and traffic sector, it is to essential protect your steel structures from corrosion. The safety of our roads becomes compromised if steel barriers, bridges and overpasses become corroded. Galvanizing steel in the roads and highways sector ensures the public stay safe while travelling, while keeping your maintenance costs and downtime to a minimum.

What is galvanizing?

Hot dip galvanizing is the process of submerging iron or steel into a bath of molten zinc. The zinc coating forms a metallurgical bond with the steel, creating a durable barrier that can withstand harsh environmental conditions. There are numerous benefits of hot dip galvanizing for all companies, but it is especially important for the roads and highways sector.

Corroded steel structures, such as bridges or guardrails, can pose safety hazards to motorists and pedestrians. Weakened structures may not be able to withstand the required loads or impacts, potentially leading to accidents or injuries.

What can be galvanized in the roads and highways industry?

Motorway barriers; bridge and overpass barriers; and barrier systems are some of the key components in the road and highway sector that benefit from galvanizing. Thousands of people drive on roads daily, and the strength of these components is vital for ensuring the safety of the public.

Away from the roads, the wider traffic industry can benefit from galvanized safety gates to assist with traffic flow.

Benefits for galvanizing road and highway steel

Galvanizing has many advantages and benefits for your highway projects, including:

Long-term durability: A galvanized coating can last for decades without requiring any painting or touch-ups. An average coating thickness of 85 microns can protect a steel structure for up to 100 years. Even in coastal environments, a galvanized coating can deliver a life expectancy of 30 years or more.
Sustainability: Galvanizing is an environmentally friendly process that uses natural and recyclable materials. The zinc coating reduces the need for repeated maintenance painting, which saves energy and resources and reduces emissions. Galvanized steel can also be easily reused or recycled at the end of its life.
Cost-effectiveness: Galvanizing pays off in the long run. It is cheaper than other corrosion protection methods, and it reduces the lifetime costs of your projects by reducing the frequency of maintenance and repairs. Galvanizing also has a fast turnaround time, which means you can get your projects completed quickly and more efficiently.
Quality: Galvanizing with Joseph Ash Galvanizing means you get a first-class service, technical expertise and premium quality. We have nine plants across the UK that can handle any size and shape of steel. We are members of the Galvanizers Association and we adhere to the highest standards of quality and safety.

Joseph Ash Galvanizing has several case studies from companies in the roads and bridges sector. We have helped many companies just like yours. Contact us today for more information.

Why galvanizing is better than paint for coating trailers

When it comes to protecting metal structures such as trailers, paint has been a popular choice of coating. However, hot dip galvanizing offers numerous benefits that make it the preferred method of protection over painting. We explore the benefits of hot dip galvanizing and why it’s the best method of protection for trailers.

A person with a Joseph Ash Galvanizing truck

Galvanizing provides superior corrosion resistance

One of the primary benefits of hot dip galvanizing is its unmatched corrosion resistance. The process involves immersing a metal structure, such as a trailer, into a bath of molten zinc. Zinc is highly resistant to corrosion and forms a sacrificial layer, meaning it corrodes before the underlying steel. In contrast, paint does not provide sacrificial protection, meaning that once the paint is damaged, the steel beneath is vulnerable to corrosion.

Trailers need to be robust to endure long journeys and harsh weather conditions, making corrosion resistance especially important. The superior corrosion resistance of galvanizing ensures customers can have peace of mind when taking their trailer out on the road. You save money on repairs and spend less time on maintenance. You will also benefit from fewer warranty claims from customers with damaged trailers.

Galvanized trailers are stronger

Hot dip galvanizing creates a metallurgically bonded coating that is seamless, strong, and abrasion-resistant. This durability ensures that the trailer remains protected from damage caused by rough handling, heavy loads, and constant movement. This saves both time and money on maintenance, and the trailers are more reliable with transporting heavier items.

Galvanizing is better for the environment

In today’s world, environmental considerations are more important than ever, especially for businesses. Customers are voting with their wallets and choosing companies that align with their views.

Hot dip galvanizing is an environmentally friendly process that aligns with sustainable practices and fits into a circular economy. The zinc used in the galvanizing process is natural and abundant, and the process doesn’t use any more zinc than is needed. Zinc is also 100% recyclable, making it a sustainable and eco-friendly choice for trailer protection.

By choosing an environmentally friendly coating method, you stand out from your competitors, ultimately increasing revenue and customer retention. You also reduce your overall carbon footprint associated with trailer production and disposal, as trailers will be used for longer.

A trailer chassis being hot dip galvanized

Galvanizing removes human error

The hot dip galvanizing process requires submersion into a zinc bath, allowing the zinc to flow freely over all areas of the metal. This provides complete coverage and uniform protection to the entire surfaces, internal and external, of the trailer, including the corners, edges, and hard-to-reach areas.

In contrast, paint requires the user to coat the metal themselves. This leaves room for human error as you cannot guarantee that all areas will be sufficiently coated. This leaves your trailer unprotected and vulnerable to corrosion.

Galvanizing provides instant results

Hot dip galvanizing does not require any drying time, unlike paint. This means trailers can be put into use immediately following coating. This provides customers with a faster turnaround time and reduces the downtime of their trailers.

What if I want a coloured finish?

A key reason why people choose paint for their trailers is because of the aesthetic appeal. Hot dip galvanizing by itself leaves a shiny silver finish, which may not be as appealing to some people. However, it’s possible to have a coloured finish without compromising on quality.

Powder coating is a type of finish that can be applied post-galvanizing, bringing the visual appeal of paint while retaining the strength of galvanizing. As the name suggests, this coating method uses powder instead of paint, bringing its own list of benefits. Powder coating is recommended for galvanized steel as it provides an even coating, lasts longer, and is quicker to apply than paint.

Compared to painted trailers, hot dip galvanized trailers offer superior protection against corrosion, are more durable and long-lasting, require minimal maintenance, and are environmentally friendly. Companies offering galvanized trailers can expect lower maintenance costs, faster turnaround times for customers, fewer warranty claims, and less downtime, increasing ROI and customer retention.

At Joseph Ash Galvanizing, we offer both hot dip galvanizing and powder coating services for trailers. Find your nearest plant or contact us for more information.