Galvanizing is a process that limits the deteriorating effects of corrosion on materials made of various types of metal. Corrosion occurs when oxygen and water come in contact with certain metals like iron. Electrons are exchanged between materials when oxygen diffuses into water and the resulting reaction is called, "corrosion." Galvanizing involves applying a layer of zinc, a corrosion resistant material, to a metal.
There remain a number of methods used to galvanize materials like pipe. Hot-dip galvanizing pipe involves dipping the pipe or the metal used to create pipes into a hot zinc solution. Sherardizing is a galvanizing procedure where piping is secured in a vacuum containing zinc particles. After heating, the material is galvanized. Zinc paints can be applied to metals to galvanize them.
The American Galvanizer's Association claims that around 3 percent of America's gross domestic product goes to repairing corroded steel throughout the country. The U.S. General Services Administration claims that well-maintained, galvanized metal products such as piping are rated to last for longer than a century.