Galvanized angle iron is steel angle protected by a zinc coating, so it can stand up to rain, snow, fertilizer, produced water and humid plant air far longer than bare steel. SteelFront sells it in two forms: pre-galvanized roll-formed angle and hot-dip galvanized punched structural angle. Both come in 1′ to 20′ lengths with the price shown before checkout.
Galvanized angle iron you can order
| Product | Galvanizing | Sizes | Holes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punched structural angle | Hot-dip galvanized | 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″ x 1/8″; 2″ x 2″ x 1/8″ | .563″ on 2″ centers, 1/2″ bolts; single or double punch |
| Punched angle iron (roll-formed) | Pre-galvanized | 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″ x 1/8″; 2″ x 2″ x 1/8″ | .563″ on 2″ centers, 1/2″ bolts; single or double punch |
| Roll formed angle iron | Pre-galvanized | 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″ and 2″ x 2″, 11 gauge | None |
| Garage door angle iron | Pre-galvanized | 1-1/4″, 1-1/2″, 2″ legs; 11-15 gauge | Both legs, 1″ apart, 3/8″ bolts |
Pre-galvanized vs hot-dip galvanized
| Pre-galvanized | Hot-dip galvanized | |
|---|---|---|
| When the zinc goes on | On flat coil, before forming | On the finished piece, after cutting and punching |
| Cut ends and holes | Bare steel; touch up if exposed | Coated when cutting and punching are done before galvanizing |
| Coating thickness | Thinner, uniform | Thicker; rougher, spangled finish |
| Look | Smooth and bright | Matte gray, can have drips or bumps |
| Best for | Garages, shops, indoor racks, covered structures | Tank batteries, catwalks, farms, water plants, coastal and wet sites |
Where galvanized angle pays off
- Oilfield tank batteries and SWD sites: catwalk and stair framing exposed to weather and produced water. See tank battery parts.
- Water and wastewater plants: constant moisture and splash. See water and wastewater parts.
- Farms and ranches: fertilizer, manure and livestock areas eat bare steel. See agriculture parts.
- Garages and shops: pre-galvanized angle stays clean and rust-free with no painting.
Working with galvanized angle
- Cutting: cut with a saw or abrasive wheel, then touch up the bare ends with zinc-rich paint.
- Bolting: use galvanized or zinc-plated fasteners. Plain steel bolts will rust first and stain the angle. Our hex nut and bolt sets fit the punched holes.
- Welding: remove the zinc at the joint, weld with fume extraction, then re-coat. Zinc fumes are hazardous to breathe.
- Painting: galvanized steel can be painted after cleaning and the right primer. Many buyers leave it bare.
Prefer to paint or weld everything? Raw structural angle iron is ready for both. Check sizes and weights in the angle iron size chart, or browse all angle iron.
Frequently asked questions
Is angle iron galvanized?
Only if you buy it that way. Standard angle iron is bare (raw) steel. Galvanized angle iron has a zinc coating applied either to the steel before it is formed (pre-galvanized) or to the finished piece (hot-dip galvanized).
What is the difference between pre-galvanized and hot-dip galvanized angle?
Pre-galvanized angle is formed from steel that was zinc coated as flat coil. It has a smooth, bright finish, but cut ends and punched holes are bare steel. Hot-dip galvanized angle is dipped in molten zinc after it is cut and punched, so every surface, edge and hole is coated, usually with a thicker layer.
Can you weld galvanized angle iron?
Yes, but grind the zinc off the weld area first and weld with good ventilation or fume extraction. Zinc oxide fumes are a known health hazard. Touch up the weld afterward with zinc-rich (cold galvanizing) paint. If most of the work is welding, it is often easier to buy raw angle and coat it afterward.
How long does galvanized angle iron last outdoors?
Much longer than raw or painted steel. Coating life depends on coating thickness and the environment. Hot-dip galvanized steel in rural and suburban air often goes decades before first maintenance, according to the American Galvanizers Association. Pre-galvanized coatings are thinner and suit indoor or sheltered use best.
Does SteelFront cut galvanized angle to length?
Yes, in stock lengths of 1′, 2′, 6′, 10′, 15′ and 20′. On pre-galvanized angle the cut ends are bare steel, so touch them up with zinc-rich paint if they will be outdoors.