The influence of copper, cadmium and tin additions in the galvanizing bath on the morphology and thickness of galvanized coatings has been studied using X-ray diffraction and optical and scanning electron microscopy associated with energy-dispersive spectroscopy microanalysis. Copper promotes the δ 1 phase and hinders the ζ phase growth. In the opposite, cadmium promotes the ζ and Γ phase formation and hinders the growth of the δ 1 phase. No change in the morphology of galvanized coatings has been observed with the addition of tin. Mechanisms have been proposed in order to explain the effect of the above elements on the formation of intermetallics.The cracking of the coatings after tensile testing in the plastic region of the specimens has been examined. The δ 1 phase is responsible for the nucleation and propagation of transverse cracks parallel to the steel substrate. Cadmium hinders the nucleation and propagation of the transverse cracks during loading up to the yield point of the steel; however, the columnar growth of the ζ phase results in the complete flaking of the coating during loading up to the ultimate tensile strength of steel. The Γ phase remains always adhered to the steel substrate.