Question:

Protecting steel and iron from rusting by coating them with a thin layer of zinc is called:

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Galvanization uses Zinc (\(Zn\)) because of its sacrificial protection property.
Even if the zinc layer is scratched, the iron underneath remains protected because zinc oxidizes more readily than iron.
  • Tinning
  • Galvanisation
  • Electroplating
  • Anodising
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the name of the metallurgical protective process where steel or iron is coated with a thin layer of zinc to prevent corrosion (rusting).

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Corrosion protection methods physically isolate the metal from oxygen and moisture, or use sacrificial protection. Zinc acts as a sacrificial anode.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

• Iron and steel rust when exposed to moist air containing oxygen and water vapor:
\[ 4Fe + 3O_2 + 2xH_2O \to 2Fe_2O_3 \cdot xH_2O \text{ (Rust)} \] - To prevent this, various barrier methods are used.

Galvanization is the process of applying a protective zinc coating to steel or iron.

• The thin zinc layer acts in two protective ways:
1. Barrier Protection: It physically blocks oxygen and water from reaching the iron underneath.
2. Sacrificial Protection: Since zinc is more reactive than iron, even if the zinc coating is scratched or damaged, the zinc will corrode preferentially (sacrificing itself) to protect the underlying iron.

• Let us analyze the other options:
- (A) Tinning: The process of coating iron with a layer of tin. Tin is less reactive than iron, so if the coating is damaged, the iron underneath rusts even faster.
- (C) Electroplating: A general method of depositing a layer of any metal on another surface using electricity. Galvanization is a specific type of zinc coating, often done by hot-dip galvanizing.
- (D) Anodising: The process of forming a thick oxide layer on aluminum to protect it from corrosion, not steel or iron.

• Thus, the correct name for coating iron with zinc is galvanisation.


Step 4: Final Answer:
The process of coating iron with zinc is called Galvanisation.
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