Weirton Steel: Weirzin FAQ

Commercial Products

What is electrolytic coated zinc (Weirzin)?
What does the surface of Weirzin look like?
How is galvanized steel made at Weirton Steel?
What is Weirbrite (brush-bright) Clear?
How does Weirzin compare to hot-dipped galvanized steel?
What zinc coating weights are available with Weirzin?
What are the typical coating thicknesses for Weirzin?
What is Weirzin Paint-Rite?
What is a Bonderized coating?
What quality designations are available?
Are Weirzin products subject to aging?
What surface treatments are available for Weirzin?
What salt spray results can be expected with Weirzin?

What is electrolytic coated zinc (Weirzin¨)?
Weirzin is a cold-rolled steel which has been electrolytically coated with a very light coating of zinc.

What does the surface of Weirzin look like?
The normal surface has a uniform dull gray matte appearance.

How is galvanized steel made at Weirton Steel?
The zinc is applied in a continuous galvanizing process wherein, simply stated, a coil of steel is unwound, continuously cleaned, annealed, coated with molten zinc, given a surface treatment of chemical treatment or oil (if ordered) and then rewound.

What is Weirbrite (brush-bright) Clear?
Weirbrite Clear is Weirzin with special surface processing that gives the surface an attractive, brushed appearance. It also has a chemical treatment to help protect against corrosion.

How does Weirzin compare to hot-dipped galvanized steel?
Because the coating weight of the zinc of Weirzin is much lighter than hot-dipped galvanized, there is less corrosion protection.

What zinc coating weights are available with Weirzin?
Coating class Minimum Coating (Triple Spot - Total Both Sides - oz./ft²)

A No minimum required

B .08

C .16

What are the typical coating thicknesses for Weirzin?
Coating Class A (Paint-Rite)             0.000021" (one side)

Coating Class B                                0.000060" (one side)

Coating Class C                                0.00013" (one side) .

What is Weirzin Paint-Rite?
Paint-Rite is the same as Coating Class A. When the steel is post-painted, it should be ordered with a Bonderized coating.

What is a Bonderized coating?
Bonderize is a zinc phosphate treatment designed to enhance corrosion performance and paint adhesion. Bonderized can be ordered with any of the coating classes.

What quality designations are available?
         Commercial Steel (CS)
         Deep Drawing Steel (DDS)
         Extra Deep Drawing Steel (EDDS)
         Intermediate Temper (1/4 Hard) (1/2 Hard is subject to inquiry)

Are Weirzin products subject to aging?
CS and DS Weirzin are temper rolled after annealing but is not necessarily produced to prevent aging. EDDS is essentially non-aging and has exceptional formability.

What surface treatments are available for Weirzin?

Bonderized coating for paint adhesion and to improve corrosion resistance after painting.
Light special treatment to improve corrosion resistance. This product can be painted but should not be painted if exposed to a pretreatment. Chemical treatment may not be compatible with a pretreatment.
Special treatment to enhance corrosion protection beyond light special treatment.

What salt spray results can be expected with Weirzin?
Salt spray results are not guaranteed on the Weirzin product because the thickness of the zinc is relatively light. There is no minimum number of hours to red rust. The addition of chemical treatment and special treatment to the surface will improve salt spray results, but, nevertheless, there is no minimum hours guaranteed. Some surface treatments applied to Weirzin provide corrosion protection equivalent to untreated G60 galvanized.