Galvanised steel pipes come in two main types—hot-dip galvanised and cold galvanised. The cold variety, which some call electro-galvanised, contains only a thin layer of zinc, really not much more than 10 to 20 grams per square meter. As you might guess, this makes them less resistant to rust than the hot-dip kind. Hot-dip galvanised pipes manage to stand up better in tough environments thanks to that thicker zinc coat. But outside of this basic difference, what sets the two apart? Let’s dig a little deeper and see what else comes to mind

Differences Between Hot-Dip Galvanised and Cold Galvanised Steel Pipes

When it comes to production, these methods couldn’t be more different. Hot-dip galvanising works at pretty high temperatures, somewhere above four hundred degrees celsius. In contrast, cold galvanising is done at room temperature using an electrical process, which feels a bit less old-school in a way

The depth of the zinc really matters here too. Hot-dip galvanised pipes are always coated with a thicker layer, so they can shrug off damage or weather a little easier. Cold types just don’t offer quite the same reliability in the long run

Surface feel is another point folks sometimes notice. Cold galvanised steel pipes seem rough to the touch and usually show more defects or bumps on the surface, while the hot-dip varieties look and feel a bit smoother overall

Price tags can differ a lot. Generally, fewer costs are tied up in cold galvanising. You might find some suppliers or factories stick with the cold method simply because it’s cheaper or their equipment isn’t updated. The hot-dip process, being more demanding, tends to show up in higher prices for pipes made with care

Now here’s something not everyone realizes—the zinc coverage differs. Hot-dip galvanising manages to cover the entire steel pipe, inside and out, with its protective layer. Cold galvanising usually settles for just covering one side, leaving the rest exposed

Another thing to consider is how well the zinc sticks to the steel. Cold galvanised pipes can sometimes lose their protective coating pretty quickly because the zinc doesn’t bond tightly to the steel. It just sits on the surface, and if you’re unlucky, it might flake off far too soon

With cold galvanising, only the outside of the pipe is protected, which means the inside goes without. On the other hand, the hot-dip process thoroughly coats both sides. Some local regulations don’t allow cold galvanised pipes in things like gas or water supply, mainly because the coating tends to wear off pretty quickly. When you think about it, it does make sense—nobody wants rusty water lines or gas leaks due to a missing zinc layer

If you’re looking to compare, these are a few key spots where hot-dip and cold galvanised pipes really show their differences: thickness and sticking power of the coating, how smooth they feel, price point, and ability to fight off corrosion. That’s about it for the essentials here

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