Galvanization or galvanizing is the process of applying a protective zinc coating to steel or iron to prevent rusting. The most common method is hot-dip galvanizing, in which the parts are coated by submerging them in a bath of hot, molten zinc. The zinc coating, when intact, prevents corrosive substances from reaching the underlying iron or steel. Additional electroplating such as a chromate conversion coating may be applied to provide further surface passivation to the substrate material. Galvanizing protects from rust in a number of ways, including forming a barrier that prevents corrosive substances from reaching the underlying steel or iron and serving as a sacrificial anode so that even if the coating is scratched, the exposed steel will still be protected by the remaining zinc. Galvanization is found in almost every major application and industry where iron or steel is used, including utilities, chemical process, pulp and paper, automotive, and transportation industries.