Technical Note: Durability of Cold-Formed Steel Framing Members
Technical Note: Durability of Cold-Formed Steel Framing Members
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Summary: The purpose of this document is to give engineers, architects, builders and home and commercial building
owners a better understanding of how galvanizing (zinc and zinc alloy coatings) provides long-term corrosion protection
to cold-formed steel framing members. This document also suggests guidelines for selecting, handling and using these
steels in framing applications.
Galvanizing is one of the most economical and effective The continuous galvanizing process can apply a number
ways to protect steel. Steel framing materials used in of different coatings that vary in thickness, appearance
residential and light commercial construction can be and alloy composition. A number of coating compositions
effectively protected by a galvanized coating. are acceptable for cold-formed steel framing, as noted in
ASTM A1003/A1003M2. The common North American
coatings, according to AISI S2013, are as follows:
2.0 GALVANIZING
• Zinc-Coated (Galvanized): The name, galvanized, usually
refers to the “standard” continuous coating that is
2.1 Definition basically pure zinc. About 0.2% aluminum is added to the
galvanizing bath to form a thin, inhibiting, iron-aluminum
Galvanizing is a process whereby steel is immersed into a
layer on the steel surface that ensures formation of a pure
bath of molten zinc (865°F/460°C) to form a metallurgically
zinc coating. The finished coating has good formability
bonded zinc coating. This same hot dip immersion process
and corrosion resistance, and provides excellent sacrificial
is also used to produce aluminum-zinc alloy coatings.
protection (Section 4.2). For further details on coating
specifications, refer to ASTM A653/A 653M4.
Most cold-formed steel is galvanized by unwinding coils
of cold rolled steel and feeding the sheet continuously
through a molten zinc bath at speeds up to 600 feet per
• 55% Aluminum-Zinc Alloy-Coated: This is a 55%
minute (200 meters/minute). As the steel exits the molten aluminum, 43.5% zinc, and 1.5% silicon alloy coating that
zinc bath, air “knives” blow off the excess coating from the provides superior barrier corrosion resistance over
steel sheet and control the coating thickness to the galvanized coatings. For further details on coating
specification requirement. The coated sheet steel is specifications, refer to ASTM A792/A792M5.
chemically treated (passivated) to protect against storage
Zinc (Galvanized)
G40/Z120 0.40 120 0.34 8.5
G60/Z180 0.60 180 0.51 12.7
G90/Z275 0.90 275 0.77 19.4
55% Aluminum-Zinc
AZ50/AZM150 0.50 150 0.80 20.0
2.3 Types of Surface Finishes scribed by AISI S2013. For further details on coating
specifications, refer to ASTM A653/A653M4 (zinc-
Zinc and zinc alloy coatings can differ in appearance coated) and A792/A792M5 (55% aluminum-zinc
based on the size of spangle or type of surface finish. coated). Coating requirements for framing members
Spangle is the flowery pattern that results as molten zinc also appear in ASTM C6456 and C9557.
grains grow and are then frozen in place as the coating
solidifies. Spangle size can be controlled or eliminated by A heavier coating may be advisable in applications
various processing techniques. Spangle control does not where the environment is particularly corrosive.
effect coating thickness so the presence or absence of Section 3 contains more information on the
spangle has no influence on corrosion performance performance of zinc coatings in various environ-
(Section 4.1). ments and identifies areas where additional
protection may be required.
2.4 Coating Weights and Thicknesses
The galvanizer controls how much coating is put on the 3.0 DURABILITY OF GALVANIZED STEEL
steel. The amount of coating is measured by coating FRAMING
weight (ounces per sq. foot, grams per sq. meter) or by
thickness (mils, microns). Table 2.1 lists the common The durability of zinc-based coatings is a function of time
commercially available continuously galvanized coatings of wetness and composition of the atmosphere (refer to
used for cold-formed steel framing members. Section 4 for details). Since residential galvanized steel
framing is intended for dry indoor environments, the
Table 2.2 lists the minimum coating requirements for corrosion rate of zinc should be very low. According to the
structural and non-structural framing members, as pre- corrosion rates in Section 3.1 and the minimum coating
Table 2.2
Minimum Coating Weight Requirements
Framing Member
Zinc (Galvanized) 55% Aluminum-Zinc
Designation
Corrosion loss of galvanized steel, exposed in the loft of 15 residential houses located in three different
geographical areas in England, UK, as a function of exposure time (John, 1991). The data points are the mean
values of 6 samples for each house; the equation in the figure is the best fit from linear regression analysis.
Figure 3.1
Table 4.2
12,13
Galvanic Corrosion Rate of Zinc Coupled to Other Common Commercial Metals
5.1 Fabricating Galvanized Framing Members Steel framing fasteners are usually protected against
corrosion by electroplated zinc coating. Zinc plated
Galvanized steel is shipped to fabricators as coils. coatings are typically thinner than and therefore not as
The coils are slit lengthwise into individual “rib- protective as the galvanized coatings on the surround-
bons” of galvanized steel strip. These ribbons are ing steel framing members16.
roll-formed, cut to length and holes are often
punched to produce the various steel sections used For more aggressive environments, improved fastener
for framing. corrosion protection can be achieved with different
organic, plated or even duplex (i.e. two or more com-
Galvanized zinc coatings are metallurgically bonded to the bined coating systems) coatings. Fastener suppliers
steel sheet and will not spall or flake off during these forming can provide further information on the level of corro-
operations. Zinc also cathodically protects any steel exposed sion protection that is recommended for particular
at cut edges (Section 4.2). environments and the level of protection provided by
specific coating types.
5.2 Storage, Handling and Installation
Precautions should be taken to avoid the formation of The galvanizing process produces a tough metallic
wet storage stain (Section 4.4) at all points in the coating that can withstand the physical demands
distribution cycle and when storing galvanized steel at created during fabrication, distribution, site storage and
the job site. The galvanized steel should be stored to installation of the steel-framing members.
allow proper drainage and good ventilation so that all
surfaces can dry after becoming wet. Time of wetness and concentration of air pollutants
affect zinc’s corrosion rate and situations that expose
In particularly aggressive conditions such as humid coastal steel framing to extended periods of wetness or aggres-
environments, extra effort should be taken to minimize sive atmospheres should be avoided. Thicker zinc
outdoor exposure of the galvanized framing members during coatings or additional topcoats can be specified for
storage and installation8. Material shall be received and increased corrosion protection in areas where aggres-
stored in accordance with AISI Code of Standard Practice sive conditions cannot be avoided.
for Cold-Formed Steel Structural Framing, paragraph F317.
However, in most indoor or sheltered environments
5.3 Welding where steel framing is used (i.e. enclosed walls and
floors, framing members that are not directly exposed to
Galvanized steel can be joined by spot or continuous moisture and aggressive atmospheres (i.e. salty marine
welding. Welding may be an economical joining method air etc.)) the corrosion rate of zinc and zinc alloy
when shop fabricating wall or roof assemblies. Al- coatings is very low. With the use of recommended
though both welding operations volatilize the zinc coating weights, as described AISI S2013, steel framing
coating at the weld site, spot welding is a much more members will function for hundreds of years.
localized process.
References
1. Townsend, H.E., “Continuous Hot Dip Coatings”, Metals Handbook, ASM International, Materials Park, OH, 1995.
2. ASTM A1003/A1003M, Standard Specification for Steel Sheet, Carbon, Metallic- and Nonmetallic-Coated for Cold-Formed
Framing Members, - ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, www.astm.org.
3. North American Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Framing - Product Data, AISI S201, American Iron and Steel Institute, Washing-
ton, DC, 2007.
4. ASTM A653/A653M, Standard Specification for Sheet Steel, Zinc Coated (Galvanized) or Zinc-Iron Alloy Coated (Galvannealed)
by the Hot Dip Process, - ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, www.astm.org.
5. ASTM A792/A792M, Standard Specification for Steel Sheet, 55% Aluminum-Zinc Alloy Coated by the Hot Dip Process, - ASTM
International, West Conshohocken, PA, www.astm.org.
6. ASTM C645, Standard Specification for Nonstructural Steel Framing Members, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA,
www.astm.org.
7. ASTM C955, Standard Specification for Load-Bearing (Transverse and Axial) Steel Studs, Runners (Tracks), and Bracing or
Bridging for Screw Application of Gypsum Board and Metal Plaster Bases, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA,
www.astm.org.
8. Corrosion Protection for Cold-Formed Steel Framing in Coastal Areas, Technical Note D200, Cold-Formed Steel Engineers
Institute, Washington, DC, 2007.
9. John, V., Durability of Galvanized Steel Building Components in Domestic Housing, British Steel Technical - Welsh Laboratories,
Port Talbot, UK, 1991.
10. ILZRO, ZC-4, Seven Year Report, Galvanized Steel Framing for Residential Buildings, International Lead Zinc Research
Organization, Research Triangle Park, NC, 2006.
11. DeMeo, L.D., “20 Year Inspection of LSF at DESH”, unpublished report, Dofasco Inc., Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, 1995.
12. Zhang, X.G., Corrosion and Electrochemistry of Zinc, Plenum Publishing Corporation, New York, NY, 1996.
13. Zhang, X.G., “Corrosion of Zinc and Its Alloys”, Metals Handbook, ASM International, Materials Park, OH, 2005.
14. Pressure Treated Wood and Steel Framing, Issue Paper 4, Steel Framing Alliance, Washington, DC, 2007.
15. ASTM A780, Standard Practice for Repair of Damaged and Uncoated Areas of Hot-Dip Galvanized Coatings, ASTM Interna-
tional, West Conshohocken, PA., www.astm.org.
16. Corrosion Protection of Screw Fasteners, Technical Note D100, Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute, Washington, DC, 2007.
17. Code of Standard Practice for Cold-Formed Steel Structural Framing, American Iron and Steel Institute, Washington, DC, 2006.
This “Technical Note on Cold-Formed Steel Construction” is published by the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (“CFSEI”). The
information provided in this publication shall not constitute any representation or warranty, express or implied, on the part of CFSEI
or any individual that the information is suitable for any general or specific purpose, and should not be used without consulting with a
qualified engineer, architect, or building designer. ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY MAKING USE OF THE INFORMATION
PROVIDED IN THIS PUBLICATION ASSUMES ALL RISKS AND LIABILITIES ARISING OR RESULTING FROM SUCH
USE. CFSEI believes that the information contained within this publication is in conformance with prevailing engineering standards of
practice. However, none of the information provided in this publication is intended to represent any official position of the CFSEI or
to exclude the use and implementation of any other design or construction technique.