A653

The main advantage for this carbon flat roll product grade is its weldability, machinability, and ability to be formed and sheared. When hot-dip galvanized or galvannealed, protection durability improves and it can hold up in corrosive, outdoor environments. The main disadvantage for this mild steel is that it is not very strong. It should not be selected for applications that require high strength, but rather for applications that will be welded, formed, or machined.

A653 is seen across industries. The architectural, general construction, automotive, and agricultural industry may all incorporate this grade into parts and components.

Applications that require welding, drilling, machining, shearing or forming but do not require high strength are well suited for this low carbon flat roll product grade. Zinc-coated A653 might be used for fixture clamps, lighting, mounting plates, and other components. Zinc-iron alloy-coated A653 might be used in road signage, truck beds, decorative architectural components, vending machines, garage doors, garbage cans, tool boxes, outdoor hardware, tools, frames, and even electronic equipment.

A653 offers great machinability. This is especially true for galvannealed A653 which shows improved resistance to residual stress and cracking when being cut or punched.

A653 shows exceptional welding capability. Both galvanized A653 and galvannealed A653 demonstrate excellent welding capability. This is one of the reasons this product grade is widely selected for fabricated parts.

Galvannealed A653 undergoes heat treatment to further improve resistance to corrosion, scratches, and residual stress. Applying a heat treatment like annealing will elongate the lifespan of the steel.

Hot-dip galvanized ASTM A653 has an added layer of corrosion protection with a zinc-coating on both sides. One of the benefits for this product grade is its aesthetically pleasing finishing character. It can be left unpainted and will look nice. Perhaps the main advantage to ASTM A653 zinc-coated steel is its workability. It takes well to being welded, formed, machined, sheared, and drilled without cracking or damaging structural integrity.

Galvannealed ASTM A653, or a zinc-iron coated mild steel, offers many of the same advantages of galvanized A653, and likewise will be used for many of the same applications. However, galvannealed steel will have a much different appearance than galvanized steel. Unlike the shiny or spangled character of galvanized steel, galvannealed steel will have a matte finish that’s easily paintable after the fabrication process.

ANSWER:

Galvanization is a process and annealing is a type of heat treatment. Cold rolled steel undergoes galvanization when it has been hot-dipped in a zinc bath. This zinc bath must satisfy standards for the amount of zinc present (at least 98% pure zinc) and a temperature of 815-850°F.

Galvanization, or this zinc-coating, protects the metal from corrosion, and various thicknesses of the protective layer can be applied to match a range of project needs.

Importantly, all galvannealed steel has first been galvanized. Immediately fter receiving a zinc-coating, the steel is annealed. Applying a heat treatment creates a zinc-iron alloy layer. One of the reasons you might anneal carbon flat roll products is to restore ductility and formability. When you galvanneal steel you’re also making it more scratch resistant and much easier to paint

You can read more about what is annealed metal and learn more about the simple 3-step galvanizing process on our blog.

ANSWER:

Galvannealing has four main steps.

1. Galvanize the steel. The first step for galvannealing steel is to expose the steel to a molten zinc bath.
2. Immediately following galvanization, the steel enters recovery where the temperature of the steel is raised and internal stress is removed.
3. Next, the steel is increased just below its melting point to allow for recrystallization.
4. Lastly, the metal cools. Cooling rates will impact the ductility and the hardness of the steel as this is when the steel achieves grain growth.

ANSWER:

Both galvanizing and galvannealing steel benefit steel that has been cold rolled by restoring ductility and reducing hardness. They add protection against corrosion and stress, while maintaining workability and machinability. In short, both the galvanization process, and the heat treatment,extend the life of the steel.