Selective coating to inhibit cracking from galvanizing
A process for making a workpiece, e.g., such as a utility or communications monopole can include selectively masking welded regions (e.g., joining the pole to a collar or other portion of a base, or joining component parts of the pole) before a corrosion-inhibiting galvanizing process that can include precleaning (e.g., in a hot acid bath) and a hot zinc galvanizing bath. The masking material can than optionally be removed, such as abrasively. The unmasked regions can optionally be spot-treated, if desired, such as to inhibit corrosion.
1. A process for manufacturing or galvanizing a workpiece including a pole welded to a base, the process comprising:
selectively covering at least the welded portions of the workpiece using a masking material, while leaving other portions of the workpiece exposed;
cleaning the selectively masked workpiece using an acid bath; and
galvanizing the cleaned and selectively masked workpiece using a hot zinc bath.
2. The process of claim 1 , comprising removing at least some of the masking material after the galvanizing.
3. The process of claim 2 , wherein the removing at least some of the masking material after the galvanizing includes abrasively removing the at least some of the masking material.
4. The process of claim 3 , wherein abrasively removing includes using a wire brush.
5. The process of claim 3 , wherein the abrasively removing includes using a grinder.
6. The process of claim 2 , comprising spot-treating regions exposed by the removing at least some of the masking material after galvanizing.
7. The process of claim 1 , wherein the selectively covering includes using, as the masking material, acrylic paint.
8. The process of claim 1 , wherein the selectively covering includes using, as the masking material silicone-based caulking.
9. The process of claim 1 , wherein the selectively covering includes using, as the masking material, adhesive tape.
10. The process of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning includes exposing the selectively covered workpiece to an acid bath.
11. The process of claim 10 , wherein the cleaning includes exposing the selectively covered workpiece to an acid bath that includes sulfuric acid.
12. The process of claim 11 , wherein the cleaning includes exposing the selectively covered workpiece to an acid bath that includes hydrochloric acid.
13. The process of claim 1 , wherein the selective covering includes selectively covering a weld extending longitudinally along the pole.
14. The process of claim 1 , wherein the selective covering includes selectively covering a weld joining a proximal end of the pole to a collar portion of the base.
15. The process of claim 1 , wherein the selective covering includes selectively covering at least the welded portions of the workpiece and areas around the welded portions of the workpiece using a masking material.
16. The process of claim 1 , wherein the selectively covering includes selectively covering at least the welded portions that weld a pole to a base.
17. The process of claim 1 , wherein the workpiece includes a utility or communications pole comprising:
a base; and
a shaft, welded to the base by a weld.
18. A process for manufacturing or galvanizing a workpiece, the process comprising:
selectively covering at least the welded portions of the workpiece using a masking material, while leaving other portions of the workpiece exposed;
cleaning the selectively masked workpiece using an acid bath; and
galvanizing the cleaned and selectively masked workpiece using a hot zinc bath.
19. A utility or communications pole comprising:
a base;
a shaft, welded to the base by a weld; and
a galvanizing-inhibiting covering selectively covering at least the weld while leaving other portions of the base or shaft exposed.
20. The pole of claim 19 , wherein the other portions of the base or shaft include a galvanized metal surface.