Enhancing ductility of the Al-Si coating on hot stamping steel by controlling the Fe-Al phase transformation during austenitization

In this study, austenitizing heat treatment before hot stamping of Al-10% Si coated boron steel is first investigated through en- vironment scanning electron microscopy （ESEM） equipped with energy dispersive x-ray analysis （EDAX）. The cracking be- havior of the coating was evaluated using Gleeble 3500, a thermo-mechanical simulator under uniaxial plastic deformation at elevated temperatures. The extent and number of cracks developed in the coating were carefully assessed through an optical microscope. The coating layer under hot-dipped condition consists of an Al-Si eutectic matrix, Fe2Al7Si, Fe3Al2Si3 and Fe2Al5, from the coating surface to the steel substrate. The coating layer remains dense, continuous and smooth. During austenitization, the Al-rich Fe-Al intermetallics in the coating transform to more Fe-rich intermetallics, promoted by the Fe diffusion process. The coating finally shows the coexistence of two types of Fe-Al intermetallics, namely, FeAl2 and FeAl. Microcracks and Kirkendall voids occur in the coating layer and diffusion zone, respectively. The coating is heavily cracked and broken into segments during the hot tensile tests. Bare steel exposed between the separate segments of the coating is oxidized and covered with a thin FeOx layer. The appearance of the oxide decreases the adhesion of the Al-Si coating. It is found that the ductile FeAl is preferred as a coating microstructure instead of the brittle FeAl2. Therefore, the ductility of the Al-Si coating on hot stamping boron steer could be enhanced by controlling the ductile Fe-rich intermetallic phase transformations within it during austenitization. Experiments indicate that a higher austenitizing temperature or longer dwell time facilitate the Fe-rich inter- metallics transformation, increasing the volume fraction of FeAl. This phase transformation also contributes to reducing the crack density and depth.