Galvanisen

Galvanisen is a term that appears in some industrial and academic contexts to describe a metal-coating process in which a protective layer is deposited on a substrate through electrochemical deposition, most commonly zinc. In practice, galvanisen overlaps with electrogalvanizing and is sometimes used as a synonym or regional spelling variant, though it is not universally standardized in the literature.

Process and chemistry: The method typically uses an electroplating bath in which the workpiece acts as the cathode. The bath contains zinc salts, and an anode made of zinc or an external zinc source replenishes zinc during plating. Pretreatment steps include degreasing, desmutting, and surface activation; after plating, parts are rinsed and dried. Post-treatment may involve chromate or other conversion coatings to enhance corrosion resistance and paint adhesion. Coating thickness generally ranges from about 5 to 25 micrometers, with process parameters adjusted to achieve uniform coverage on complex geometries.

Advantages and limitations: Compared with hot-dip galvanizing, galvanisen/electrogalvanizing offers tighter control of coating thickness, better deposition on small parts and intricate shapes, and faster production cycles. It can produce brighter finishes but may be more sensitive to bath conditions and requires careful waste treatment. Environmental considerations include management of rinse waters and the handling of conversion coatings that may contain chromium or other additives.

Applications and scope: Typical applications include automotive components, fasteners, electrical and electronic parts, and household or industrial appliances—areas where a uniform, controllable zinc coating and good adhesion are advantageous.

History and terminology: The galvanic origins trace to principles studied in galvanic processes named after Luigi Galvani. Today, electrogalvanizing is the standard term in many regions, while galvanisen persists as a regional or historical variant in some sources.