Which statement best describes galvanizing?

Which statement best describes galvanizing?

• A. It is a coating of zinc on steel
• B. It is a coating of copper on steel
• C. It is a protective oil coating
• D. It is a neutralization treatment

Answer: (B)

Galvanizing means applying a protective zinc coating to steel to prevent corrosion. This coating is usually applied by dipping the steel into molten zinc (hot-dip galvanizing) or by electroplating. The key reason it works is that zinc is more anodic than iron, so it corrodes first, protecting the underlying steel even if the coating is scratched. This sacrificial protection keeps structural steel durable in exposed environments. The other options don’t describe galvanizing: coating with copper wouldn’t provide this galvanic protection for steel; an oil coating offers temporary lubrication or surface protection but not the durable metallic barrier galvanizing provides; a neutralization treatment changes surface chemistry but doesn’t leave a zinc protective layer.

Galvanizing means applying a protective zinc coating to steel to prevent corrosion. This coating is usually applied by dipping the steel into molten zinc (hot-dip galvanizing) or by electroplating. The key reason it works is that zinc is more anodic than iron, so it corrodes first, protecting the underlying steel even if the coating is scratched. This sacrificial protection keeps structural steel durable in exposed environments.

The other options don’t describe galvanizing: coating with copper wouldn’t provide this galvanic protection for steel; an oil coating offers temporary lubrication or surface protection but not the durable metallic barrier galvanizing provides; a neutralization treatment changes surface chemistry but doesn’t leave a zinc protective layer.