What is the process of applying a surface treatment to enhance corrosion resistance?

The process of surface treatment to enhance corrosion resistance that is most commonly recognized is galvanization. This involves the application of a protective zinc coating to iron or steel to prevent rusting. The zinc acts as a sacrificial barrier; it corrodes preferentially when exposed to corrosive environments, thereby protecting the underlying metal. This method is particularly effective in prolonging the life of steel structures and components that are exposed to moisture and other corrosive substances.

While anodizing, coating, and painting can also provide some level of corrosion resistance, galvanization specifically focuses on creating a robust zinc layer that directly improves the base metal's resistance to corrosion and environmental factors over an extended period. Anodizing is often applied to aluminum to improve surface hardness and corrosion resistance but does not involve the protective sacrificial layer like galvanization. Coating and painting may provide a protective barrier as well but do not typically offer the same level of corrosion resistance and longevity as galvanization does, especially in harsher environments.