Hot-dip galvanizing, also known as hot dipping galvanizing, is a process that involves cleaning and rust-removing steel workpieces to achieve a clean, wettable surface, which is then immediately immersed in a dipping tank containing molten zinc that has been preheated. This results in the formation of a zinc coating on the workpiece surface. Cold-dip galvanizing, on the other hand, involves hanging the cleaned and rust-removed workpieces onto the cathode of a specialized electroplating tank, with zinc as the anode. Once the direct current is applied, zinc ions migrate towards the cathode and discharge there, forming a zinc coating on the workpiece. Hot-dip galvanizing provides a thicker coating, typically 30-60 micrometers, with high corrosion resistance. It is suitable for outdoor steel components such as highway fences, power towers, and large-sized fasteners that require long-term rust prevention. Early iron water pipes were also hot-dipped. Electroplating zinc results in a smooth and flat surface on the workpiece but, due to the thinner coating, usually less than 5-30 micrometers, the corrosion resistance is shorter-lived. It is used for indoor applications where rust prevention is needed, such as for cases, panels, and small-sized fasteners.