The hot-dip galvanizing process consists of immersing the steel parts or elements to be protected in a crucible with molten zinc at a temperature of approximately 450º C. The resulting interaction creates a protective surface layer.

The process begins by manually hanging the object/material on hangers at the hanging stations. The hangers are manipulated by overhead cranes during the galvanizing process. The object is transferred to the treatment area where the following processes are carried out: DEGREASE: The material is immersed in a hot solution (45ºC-50ºC) of phosphoric acid and a surfactant additive to promote cleaning. RINSE: The material is removed from the caustic solution and rinsed. PICKLING: The material is immersed in a cold solution of 10-15% hydrochloric acid (HCl) and iron chloride (_FeCl2) with a pickling time of 40 minutes. WASHING: The material is immersed in water to limit drag-out in the flux tank. FLUXING: The material is immersed in a hot saline solution, a mixture of zinc chloride and ammonium chloride (_ZnCl2 and _NH4Cl). DRYING: The hanger is placed inside the drying pit (70ºC-80ºC) and dried by hot air recirculation. GALVANIZING: The hanger with the material is lifted by the bridge crane and immersed in the zinc bath at high speed. The surface of the bath is then cleaned and slowly removed.

AITESA has carried out engineering and supply for plants of capacity up to 50,000 tons/year.