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19 March 2026 at 16:59 • 4 mins read
Corrugated metal is a high-strength material manufactured from steel, aluminum, or galvanized metal, often coated for enhanced durability and corrosion resistance. Corrugated metal offers a unique wavy or ribbed pattern with parallel ridges and grooves. The corrugated structure offers enhanced strength while offering a distinct appearance that is extremely popular across various industries and applications.
Corrugated metal is manufactured through several processes that shape the flat metal into a series of ridges and grooves, which enhance its strength and rigidity without adding extra material. This process typically involves several steps, including selecting raw materials to form the metal into its desired corrugated shape. The manufacturing of corrugated metal involves the following steps:
According to the American Galvanizers
Association, galvanization protects steel from
corrosion by dipping it in a vat of molten zinc. The iron in the steel
reacts with the zinc, forming a tightly bonded alloy coating that
provides a shiny finish. As the galvanized finish ages, it will grow a
white oxide coating, which protects the metal from further corrosion,
even at scratches or the sheared edges on a galvanized corrugated
sheet.
In addition to the hot-dip batch process, galvanization can
also be accomplished with continuous sheet galvanizing. During this
process, rolls of sheet steel are passed through an annealing furnace
to clean and prepare the surface, then rolled through a zinc bath,
pulled vertically, and allowed to dry. This type of galvanized
coating is thinner and less protective and should be suitable only for
indoor use.
An alternate version of galvanization is the patented
Galvalume process. First discovered by Bethlehem Steel in 1972,
Galvalume steel coating contains about 55 percent aluminum, 45 percent
zinc, and a small amount of silicon, which helps the coating adhere to
the steel during corrugation.
The aluminum in Galvalume provides
corrosion resistance against atmospheric conditions. When the coating
is applied, microscopic areas of aluminum and zinc form. The aluminum
areas provide a corrosion barrier, while the zinc areas provide
galvanization. In most applications, Galvalume offers greater
protection than galvanization, but there are
exceptions, such as in the alkaline environments of
concrete and mortar or agricultural or animal confinement areas.
The unique corrugated metal properties allow for countless applications that require enhanced strength, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic appeal. Common applications include:
For artistic purposes, corrugated steel sheet may be made from uncoated or corten steel, a weathering steel that gives a rusted look right off the shelf! However, most building applications require protection from the environment, achievable through galvanization, painting, or coatings, depending on cost and specific needs.
Some of the main benefits associated with corrugated metal include:
Looking for a specific corrugated metal type to meet your application needs? IMS has you covered! We stock the following corrugated metal product options:
With seven locations serving California, Arizona, Nevada, and Northern Mexico, IMS is a full-service metal supplier that understands your needs. Our inventory of metal products includes a broad range of metal shapes and an extensive selection of alloys. At IMS, we offer the following advantages:
Contact us for more information on our corrugated metal products and secondary services. Our experts will help you find the metal solution best suited to your specific application.