What type of steel is coated with zinc to increase rust resistance?

The type of steel that is coated with zinc to enhance its resistance to rust is galvanized steel. The galvanization process involves applying a protective zinc layer to the surface of the steel, which prevents moisture from reaching the underlying metal, thus significantly reducing the risk of corrosion and rust development. This method is widely used in various construction and manufacturing applications, where the strength of steel combined with the protective qualities of zinc is advantageous.

While other types of steel, such as stainless steel and carbon steel, have their properties and methods of treatment, they do not specifically refer to the process of galvanization, which is the defining feature of galvanized steel. Stainless steel, for example, resists rust on its own due to its chromium content, while carbon steel is susceptible to corrosion unless treated in some way, but it does not have the zinc coating associated with galvanization.