Hot-rolled Galvanized Steel Sections and Cold-formed Galvanized Profiles

Galvanized steel profiles, renowned for their exceptional corrosion resistance and high strength, have become essential materials in construction, industrial manufacturing, and other sectors. Today, Wanzhi Group will provide a detailed explanation of hot-rolled galvanized sections and galvanized profiles: How can they support your projects? What are their respective advantages and applications?

Table of Contents

Comparison of Hot-Rolled Galvanized Sections and Cold-Formed Galvanized Profiles

Characteristic	Hot-Rolled Galvanized Sections	Cold-Formed Galvanized Sections
Process	Hot-rolled into shape first, then galvanized as a whole	Cold-formed using galvanized steel sheets/coils
Thickness	Relatively thick, usually ≥ 3mm	Relatively thin, commonly ranging from 0.8mm to 3.0mm
Cross-Sectional Shape	Standard (I, channel, angle, H), with large R-angles	Highly flexible (C, Z, U, special shapes), with small R-angles
Strength Source	Material itself and section moment of inertia	Cold work hardening and cross-sectional shape design
Load-Bearing Capacity	Extremely high, suitable for main load-bearing components	High, suitable for secondary structures and enclosures
Weight	High unit weight	Lightweight
Economy	Relatively high material cost	Often lower overall cost
Size and Customization	Standard specifications, with fixed lengths usually	Length can be flexibly customized, and cross-sections can be deeply developed
Applicable Fields	Heavy-duty structures, key load-bearing parts	Lightweight structures, enclosure systems, efficient manufacturing

Hot-Rolled Galvanized Sections

Hot-rolled galvanized sections combine “hot-rolled profiles with galvanization,” making them the preferred material for heavy-duty, primary structural, and permanent applications.

Process

Steel billets are directly rolled into specific cross-sectional shapes (such as classic I-beams and channel sections) at high temperatures (approximately 1200°C). After forming, the surfaces undergo hot-dip galvanizing to create a robust zinc-iron alloy protective layer.

Characteristics

Material: Typically low-alloy high-strength steel with substantial thickness and dense structure.
Strength: Yield strength and tensile strength determined by steel grade and hot-rolling process.
Cross-section: Standardized shapes (compliant with GB, ASTM, etc.) with comprehensive dimensions. Larger radii optimize stress distribution.
Galvanizing Effect: Formed before galvanizing allows zinc coating thickness up to 600g/m², uniformly covering complex cross-sections.

Advantages

High strength
Large load-bearing capacity
Excellent stability
Standardized specifications
Comprehensive corrosion protection

Applications

Primary load-bearing structures
Heavy infrastructure
Critical areas requiring extreme stability and safety factors.

Cold-Formed Galvanized Profiles

Cold-formed galvanized profiles combine “galvanized coil/sheet + cold forming,” serving as a popular metal material for light loads, secondary structures, or decorative applications.

Process

Steel sheets or strips undergo cold rolling and hot-dip galvanizing to produce galvanized coils or sheets. These are then formed through a series of precision rollers at room temperature.

Characteristics

Material: Base material is galvanized steel sheet (e.g., SGCC, DX51D), featuring relatively thin and uniform thickness.
Strength: Determined by material properties, processing techniques, and cross-sectional design.
Cross-Section: Features complex, versatile shapes with small radii (R corners) for sharp, defined edges.
Galvanization: Pre-galvanized substrate. Though zinc coating may undergo compression and stretching during forming, premium GI steel profiles maintain stable corrosion resistance.

Advantages