Core requirements and technical solutions for corrosion resistance of galvanized steel in the desert climate of the Middle East
Release time:
2025-07-17
Core requirements and technical solutions for corrosion resistance of galvanized steel in the desert climate of the Middle East
Introduction: Challenges of steel in harsh environments
The desert climate of the Middle East is characterized by extreme temperature differences between day and night (-5°C to 50°C+), high-salt sandstorms, low humidity and strong ultraviolet radiation, which pose triple corrosion threats to steel structures:
1. Abrasive damage: high-speed sand particles impact the galvanized layer, accelerating physical wear
2. Electrochemical corrosion: salt (Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻) in the sand and dust causes pitting under the action of condensed water
3. UV aging: ultraviolet rays cause the passivation film on the zinc layer to fail
According to a study by the UAE Industrial Association, the life of ordinary galvanized steel in desert environments is shortened by 40%-60%, forcing engineering projects to adopt upgraded technical solutions.
Ⅰ. Four performance thresholds for galvanized steel demand in the Middle East
1. Galvanized layer thickness ≥120μm
Comparison of international standards:
Standards General requirements Middle East recommended values
ISO 1461 ≥85μm ≥120μm
ASTM A123 ≥75μm ≥110μm
Measurement basis: Saudi Aramco standard SAES-H-002 requires the galvanized layer in coastal areas to be ≥150μm
2. Alloy coating technology
Galfan® (zinc-5% aluminum alloy): corrosion resistance is 2-3 times that of pure zinc layer, and it resists sand and dust abrasion
Zinc aluminum magnesium coating (ZM310): self-healing properties can resist scratch corrosion, and the service life is increased to 25 years+
3. Salt spray test ≥2000 hours
Passed ASTM B117 stringent test (ordinary galvanized steel only 500-800 hours)
Dubai Airport Terminal 3 case: designated galvanized steel salt spray test ≥ 3000 hours
4. Anti-UV aging certification
Complies with ISO 4892-3 xenon lamp aging test (simulating 10 years of desert exposure)
Surface passivation treatment: chromium-free environmentally friendly passivation (such as Geomet® technology) replaces traditional chromate
Ⅱ. Three major technological innovations for steel used in desert climates
▶ Optimization of coating structure
Microscopic protection mechanism:
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| Level | Function | Technical implementation |
|------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|
| Outer layer (5μm) | UV reflection + wear resistance | Nano Al₂O₃ composite zinc layer |
| Intermediate layer | Self-healing barrier | Magnesium-rich phase network structure |
| Substrate bonding layer | Inhibition of Fe-Zn diffusion corrosion | Pre-plated Ni alloy transition layer |
▶ Intelligent monitoring system
Galvanized layer thickness sensor: embedded in key nodes of steel structure, real-time transmission of corrosion data to BIM platform
Case: Lusail City in Qatar uses IoT galvanized steel components, reducing maintenance costs by 35%
▶ Full life cycle protection
Ⅲ. Engineering material selection guide
1. Certification standard list
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) certification: GSO 1461
UAE mandatory standard: UAE.S 501:2018
International dual certification: ISO 1461 + ASTM A123
2. Key points for supplier audit
Provide a special test report for desert climate (including sand and dust abrasion + salt spray composite test)
The production line has a constant tension control plating tank (to ensure the uniformity of the zinc layer at the corners)
The material traceability system complies with ISO 14224
Ⅳ. Successful case: Dubai Solar Park steel plating technology
1. Project requirements: 50-year life support structure, cost controllable
2. Solution:
Substrate: S355J2+N weathering steel
Coating: 180μm Galfan® alloy + Sealed coating
3.Achievements:
"After 7 years of operation and testing, the average annual loss of zinc layer is only 1.2μm, far lower than the expected 4.5μm" —— DEWA Technical White Paper
Conclusion: Future trends
With the expansion of infrastructure in the Middle East (Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, UAE's Centennial Plan 2071), the demand for corrosion-resistant galvanized steel will continue to grow. Innovation directions include:
Graphene enhanced coating (laboratory salt spray resistance > 5000 hours)
Phase change temperature control coating: reflect heat during the day and inhibit condensation at night
AI corrosion prediction model: optimize coating design based on climate data
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