Features and control methods of the galvanneal furnace

The recent rapid developments in the automobile industry have demanded the extensive use of gaivannealed （GA） steel sheets.In particular,the development of lightweight automobiles is putting increasingly higher requirements on the strength of GA steel sheets.The galvanneal furnace,which is used for processing galvannealed steel sheets,is typically composed of the induction heating section,holding section and fog cooling section.This paper described the structural characteristics of each component of the galvanneal furnace,and analyzed temperature control methods of the galvanneal furnace that are important for the successful production of high-strength GA steel sheets for automotive applications.

Research on the lack of alloying in the galvannealed coating of automotive sheet steel

Samples of the cross section microstructures of galvannealed steel sheets that lack alloying were analyzed. X-ray diffraction （XRD） tests were carried out. The study discovers that the deficit of alloying was higher on both sides of the steel sheet when compared to the center and the thickness of the coating on the sides was also higher than the center. The results of the XRD tests demonstrate that the microstructure of the coating with a lack of alloy is mainly composed of zinc,ζ and δ. They also indicate that the lack of alloying is mainly due to a lower galvannealing temperature and thicker coating. It is shown by the optical micrographs of coating that the δ phase forms first in a discontinuous manner at the interface and then rapidly pushes towards the coating and enlarges.

Application of communication program between atomic absorption spectrometer and electronic balance for iron content determination of the galvanneal coating

At present,iron content in a galvanneal coating is determined by an atomic absorption spectrometer(AAS)in Baosteel.The mass of a sample is recorded by operators two times on paper,then the mass of the coating is manually calculated and input in a computer.With the aid of a communication program between an AAS and an electronic balance(EB),the above process can be modified.First,the mass of a sample is sent to a computer by the EB.Second,the mass of the coating is calculated by the computer automatically.Finally,the iron mass is uploaded to the communication program,and the iron content can also be calculated automatically.As such,the modified process is more efficient.

Effect of heating and cooling technology on microstructure of galvannealed coating

Based on the galvannealed phase transformation theory,the phase and powder level of a galvannealed coating produced on one of the galvanizing lines at Baosteel*s cold-rolling plant were analyzed under different conditions before and after a technical innovation was introduced.After the introduction of the technical innovation,heating and cooling abilities of the galvannealing furnace were strengthened,galvanizing speed increased from 75 to 100 m/min,and the galvannealing target temperature could be reached more quickly.As such,the 8,phase was more uniform and dense,and the coating's anti-powdering ability was increased.Although the galvanizing time was slightly shortened,this had no negative effect on the anti-powdering ability of the galvannealed coating.

Investigation of the transformation of sink-roll groove-mark defect in the galvannealing process

The influence of galvannealing on the transformation of the sink-roll groove-mark defect was studied by comparing the defects on galvannealed( GA) coating with those on galvanized( GI) coating. It was found that defects on GI coating contained high amounts of aluminum,zinc dross,and a zinc-iron intermetallic outburst structure,as well as slight scratches on the substrate. After being galvannealed,the aluminum content was higher and there was a much greater outburst structure,which made the coating of the defect thicker than the normal coating,while the zinc dross and scratches on the substrate had disappeared due to zinc and iron diffusion during the galvannealing process.

Production and application of Baosteel inorganic-lubricant-coated galvannealed automobile steel sheet

The inorganic-lubricant-coated galvannealed automobile steel sheet is a new product that improves the press formability of automobile body panels.In this paper,the production process,physical and chemical properties,press formability,and corrosion resistance of this new automobile steel sheet were discussed.Test results show that this inorganic solid-lubricant galvannealed automobile steel sheet has good surface friction characteristics and press formability.This product also meets the automobile industry’s requirements for press formability,phosphate pro-perties,and corrosion resistance after coating.

Bottom dross defect and its transformation behavior during the galvannealing process

Bottom dross obtained from zinc bath and the typical bottom dross defects on galvanized and galvannealed coating were metallographically investigated.Galvannealing simulations with different holding time were conducted,and the bottom dross transformation behavior during the galvannealing process was revealed.The fast diffusion between bottom dross particles and the surrounding zinc occurs during the galvannealing process,resulting in the formation of an Al-containing Zn-Fe intermetallic outburst structure at the defect position.The thicker and harder coating will cause a shiny spot on the coating surface and a deep dent on the substrate after being temper rolled.

Strain Limit of Extra Galvannealed Interstitial-Free and Bake Hardened Steel Sheets Under Different Stress Conditions

The formability of bake hardened steel （thickness 0.82 mm）, and the extra galvannealed IF steel （thickness 0.82 mm） have been studied. The suitability of the above steels for forming applications has been critically examined. The microstructure, tensile properties, and formability parameters of the above sheet metals were determined. The manufacturing process of the steels and the significance with reference to its formability were studied.

Effect of substrate grain size on GA streaky marks of IF steel

The micro-characteristics of the streaky marks and the corresponding substrate surface of galvannealed （GA） steel sheets have been investigated using SEM and FIB.The streaky mark area seems to have many cavities,similar to craters,which scatter light and make the surface appear darker when compared with the surrounding normal area.Moreover,it is found that the irregularity or difference in steel grain size tends to affect the surface quality of the GA steel sheets.During alloying,the diffusion speed of Zn-Fe on the grain boundary is faster than that at the center of the grain,which results in the selective formation of crater-like morphology in the coating area with larger steel grains.Due to the clear grain boundary of IF steel,apparent streaky marks will be formed on the coating,if the IF steel surface consists of grains of irregular size.