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Story: Iron and steel

Galvanised steel beams

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Galvanised steel beams

Galvanised steel is coated with zinc, which protects any exposed surfaces. If these are damaged the zinc will corrode, rather than the steel itself. Galvanised steel is widely used in the building, automotive, agricultural and other industries where steel needs to be protected from corrosion.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

by Alastair McLean

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How to cite this page

Fleur Templeton, Iron and steel – Steel products, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/5896/galvanised-steel-beams (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Fleur Templeton, published 2 March 2009.