Galvanized sheet or coil is defined as a carbon steel sheet coated with zinc on both sides. Continuous hot dipping is the process used to produce galvanized sheet and coil. Generally speaking, the hot dip process consists of passing the steel through a bath of molten zinc. The result is a layer of zinc tightly adhering to the base metal through an iron-zinc bonding layer.

A zinc coating is one of the most effective and economical methods of protecting bare steel from a corroding environment. The zinc not only serves as a barrier between the steel and the environment, it will sacrifice itself to protect the underlying steel sheet. Sacrificial, or galvanic protection occurs when two dissimilar metals are in contact and coupled with water and oxygen. Zinc corrodes preferentially to the iron in steel. This protection prevents corrosion of the steel at areas not covered with zinc. Thus, the spread of corrosion from cut edges, drill holes, etc. is minimized.