Unprotected Steel can be seriously damaged due to such environmental factors as rain & snow, wind, and extreme temperature .Corrosion transforms steel back to its natural state of iron, which is very fragile and can prove to be deadly in structures supporting heavy pressure (e.g. Towers).
The best way to avoid this phenomenon is through a process called "hot dip galvanization".

This process consists of dipping steel in melted zinc at 450° Celsius, temperature at which iron and zinc share great affinity, and allowing an alloy to form where pure zinc prevails to the outside. The final product is a Steel surface protected with a zinc coating.

Due to the difference of electrochemical potential between zinc and steel (cathodic protection), a zinc coating can protect Steel in such a way that vigorous forces, such as cutting, scratching or piercing, are equally protected against corrosion.
What considerably affects the appearance and gauge of galvanization is the contents of alloyable elements that are generally present in steel: carbon, magnesium, and silicon. If the contents of these elements increases, the coating gauge also increases and it becomes matte gray. The greatest effect is produced by silicon in concentrations higher than 0.12%.

Most steels can be galvanized: high-strength steel, low-carbon steel,low-alloy steel, and steels with as much as 0.20% copper content; the most appropriate being low-carbon steels

a) Lower Cost : Hot dip galvanizing is a factory process in which many pieces can be coated in large batches in a shorter time, with less work and lower cost.

b) Lower Service Cost : Hot dip galvanizing can offer a life of minimum 20 years without maintenance depending on the environmental conditions, totally eliminating the maintenance expenditure. This way, the dilemma of conducting repairs in complex, intertwined structures and in places where interruption of production is not possible.

c) Longer Life : It has a lifetime of 10 - 20 years in the most severe industrial and sea environments, and longer than 25 years in less harsh environments without requiring maintenance/repair. Even in the case of maintenance, the process is much simpler in comparison to the repair of other protection methods.

d) Application Speed : While only several minutes are needed in the hot dipping galvanization method in order to obtain full protection, a period of several weeks is mandatory for the application of four layers of paint.

e) Reliability : Thickness (weight) of the coating can be accurately measured. The coating is uniform to provide equal protection in all surfaces. Galvanizing is one of the very few coating methods which have been explained in the standards in full.

f) Coating Strength : Hot dip galvanizing is the only method in which a metallurgical bond is attained with the steel. Due to this, galvanized steel exhibits the highest resistance against mechanical damage during transport, delivery, storage and installation.

g) Total Coverage : The internal and external surfaces of the objects as well as the corners and details which can not be protected against corrosion by any other method will be coated with zinc.

h) 3-Way Protection : Galvanizing protects steel in three ways: First, the slow erosion speed provides a long and predictable coating life. Second, the coating provides cathodic protection. The small damages caused by the work performed on the galvanized steel such as drilling or cutting or scratches during usage are protected by a coating of corrosion products formed by zinc. Third, if the damaged area is relatively larger, zinc is corroded before the steel because it is more electronegative, thus continues to protect the steel.

i) Easier Quality Control : Coating test is the control procedure to verify that the coating thickness is obtained in compliance with the standards (ASTM A 123, BS 729, DIN 50976, and TSE 914). Tests can be performed by micrometers or non-destructive inspection/measurement tools easily for comparison with the standards.

j) Rapid Installation : Galvanized steel is ready for use. It can be installed without the need for surface cleaning, painting, or inspection.