Application of WC cermet sprayed composite coating in hot-dip galvanizing lines

With the rapid development of the automobile industry, the use of galvannealed and galvanized steel sheets in automobiles is on the rise. These sheets must meet very high surface quality requirements. The surface treatment of line rolls is known to have a great impact on strip quality. To prevent dusts such as zinc ash from pressing into the strip surface, we used a composite thermal spray surface treatment technique to treat rolls. The successfully developed tungsten carbide （WC） ＋ Ni-P composite plating technology improved the quality of the tungsten carbide thermally sprayed WC roll surface. This technique is also helpful to control defects such as adhered foreign materials in hot-dip galvanized automobile outer panel surfaces.

Investigation and improvement of tiny spot defects on hot-dip galvanized automotive steel sheets

The causes of tiny spot defects on the surface of hot-dip galvanized automotive steel sheets were studied using scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS),and effective control measures were introduced.The results show that rubbing against the top roller after galvanizing is easy due to the local thickness of tiny spot defect location coating;therefore,the surface morphology is different from the normal part.Three kinds of defects,namely zinc slag,small slivers,and pitting,are likely to cause local thickening of the coating after galvanizing,leading to the formation of tiny spots.Therefore,resolving the three types of defects can effectively control the generation of tiny spot defects.Among them,due to the hereditary nature of the small sliver defect,focusing on its control and supervision is necessary.

Recent development of UHSS and its hot-dip galvanizing processes in Baosteel

Baosteel has excelled in automotive steel sheets in the past three decades.It has made a significant contribution to the development of China’s automotive industry by producing a wide range of high-quality steel products.Some milestones achieved by Baosteel automotive steel sheet were briefly reviewed.The current challenges in producing ultra-high strength steel(UHSS),especially hot-dip galvanized UHSS,were summarized.The most current advancements in UHSS and the corresponding hot-dip galvanizing processes were discussed.The galvanizability of Si-Mn-added QP steel and DP steel, Mn-added TWIP steel, and Al-added low-density steel has been improved by different techniques in Baosteel.

Accuracy analysis of iron content of galvanized coating using an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer with an L-spectrum

The accuracy(repeatability and reproducibility) of the iron content analysis of galvanized coating using an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer with an L-spectrum is not better than that of flame atomic absorption spectrometry, sometimes it exceeds the quality control limit.Influences, such as current, voltage, equipment(internal circulating water, 10%CH4+90%Ar, and vacuum) checking, instrument monitoring, sample cleaning, and oper-ators, were investigated by means of 6-sigma and lean operations to improve accuracy.

Composition and Performance of the Composite Coatings Obtained by Phosphating and Cerium Nitrate Post-Sealing on Galvanized Steel

To improve the corrosion resistance of phosphate coatings, the phosphated hot-dip galvanized (HDG) steel was post-sealed with cerium nitrate solution. The morphology, composition, corrosion resistance of the coatings was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and neutral salt spray (NSS) tests. The results show that after post-sealing the phosphated HDG samples with cerium nitrate solution, the pores among the zinc phosphate crystals are sealed by the compounds containing phosphorus, oxygen and cerium; the zinc phosphate crystals are covered by the flocculent cerium compounds; and the continuous composite coatings are formed on HDG steel. The corrosion resistance of the composite coatings, which increases with the increase in phosphating time and cerium nitrate post-sealing time, is far higher than that of the single phosphate coatings. The composite coatings with the optimal corrosion resistance are obtained for phosphating 300 s and post-sealing 300 s; and the corrosion resistance is more outstanding than that of the chromate coatings.

Effect of hot-dip galvanizing processes on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 600-MPa hot-dip galvanized dual-phase steel

A C–Mn dual-phase steel was soaked at 800°C for 90 s and then either rapidly cooled to 450°C and held for 30 s(process A) or rapidly cooled to 350°C and then reheated to 450°C(process B) to simulate the hot-dip galvanizing process. The influence of the hot-dip galvanizing process on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 600-MPa hot-dip galvanized dual-phase steel(DP600) was investigated using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy(SEM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), and tensile tests. The results showed that, in the case of process A, the microstructure of DP600 was composed of ferrite, martensite, and a small amount of bainite. The granular bainite was formed in the hot-dip galvanizing stage, and martensite islands were formed in the final cooling stage after hot-dip galvanizing. By contrast, in the case of process B, the microstructure of the DP600 was composed of ferrite, martensite, bainite, and cementite. In addition, compared with the yield strength(YS) of the DP600 annealed by process A, that for the DP600 annealed by process B increased by approximately 50 MPa because of the tempering of the martensite formed during rapid cooling. The work-hardening coefficient(n value) of the DP600 steel annealed by process B clearly decreased because the increase of the YS affected the computation result for the n value. However, the ultimate tensile strength(UTS) and elongation(A80) of the DP600 annealed by process B exhibited less variation compared with those of the DP600 annealed by process A. Therefore, DP600 with excellent comprehensive mechanical properties(YS = 362 MPa, UTS = 638 MPa, A_(80) = 24.3%, n = 0.17) was obtained via process A.

Effects of Electroplated Coatings on Corrosion Behavior of Ti-1023/30CrMnSiA Galvanic Couple

Galvanic corrosion behavior of Ti-1023 titanium alloy coupled 30CrMnSiA steel was investigated in 3.5% NaCl solution. Particular attention was given to the effect of three different electroplated coatings on corrosion behavior of the galvanic couple. Galvanic corrosion test was conducted on Ti-1023 titanium alloy which coupled Ni-electroplated 30CrMnSiA, Zn-electroplated 30CrMnSiA, Cd-electroplated 30CrMnSiA and bare 30CrMnSiA, respectively. Corrosion properties including open circuit potential （Eoc）, galvanic corrosion potential （Eg）, and galvanic corrosion current （lg） were monitored. Corrosion morphology was observed by optical microscope （OM） and corrosion mechanism was analyzed and discussed. The results show that the three electroplated coatings improve the corrosion resistance of the anode in different magnitudes. Ni-electroplated 30CrMnSiA and Cd-electroplated 30CrMnSiA coatings are found to be least susceptible to galvanic corrosion when coupled Ti-1023 titanium alloy. Zn-electroplated 30CrMnSiA is moderately susceptible to galvanic corrosion. But the bare 30CrMnSiA is highly susceptible to galvanic corrosion in corrosive environment.

Corrosion Protection of Electro-Galvanized Steel by Green Conversion Coatings

A A cerium-based chemical conversion process was studied. First, zinc coating obtained from a free-cyanide alkaline bath, with derivative of imidazol with new brightener, was investigated, zinc-plated steel specimens were treated with a solution of 50 mmol· L^-1 Ce（NO3 ）3 The corrosion behavior of bare and treated mild galvanized steel was evaluated during exposure to 0.5 mol · L^-1 NaCl for different immersion time, using Tafel polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS） measurements. The surface morphology of the coating was studied using scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The composition and chemical percent of the coating were examined by X-ray dispersion energy （EDAX）. The results of these measurements showed that the newly developed cerium-based conversion coating process was a promising candidate for replacing the conventional chromate treatments used at present for galvanized steel.

Preparation and hot-dip galvanizing application of CeO_2/Zn nanocomposite

CeO2/Zn nanocomposite was fabricated by high-energy ball milling and subsequent hot-press sintering under vacuum. The produced nanocomposite powders and bulks were characterized using X-ray diffraction （XRD）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrum （EDS）. The as-fabricated nanocomposite bulks were added successfully into the hot-dip galvanizing bath to improve the corrosion resistance of coatings. The results show that after milling for 120min, nano-sized CeO2 particles are distributed homogeneously on the surface of fine Zn particles to form spherical-like nanocomposite powder with narrow grain size distribution. The subsequent sintering does not lead to a dramatic grain growth, and the distribution of CeO2 nanoparticles in the composite bulk is also homogeneous. With the addition of as-prepared bulks, the corrosion resistance of the galvanized coatings is improved obviously. It provides a feasible route for adding CeO2 nanoparticles into the hot-dip galvanized coating.

Effect of surface roughness on the surface lubrication performance of galvanized steel sheets with a self-lubricated coating

Four kinds of galvanized steel sheets having different surface roughness values were used to prepare the steel sheets with a self-lubricated coating. The effects of surface roughness on the surface lubrication performance of the steel sheets were examined using a friction coefficient tester. Results revealed large dynamic friction coefficients for the galvanized steel sheets, which increased remarkably with surface roughness. Once the self-lubricated coating was applied, significant drops in the dynamic friction coefficients were measured. After the first stage of the friction test,the coefficients were almost unchanged, which reflected a weak dependence on the surface roughness of the self-lubricated steel sheets. However, the dynamic friction coefficients gradually increased as the test progressed, where these increase clearly correlated with the surface roughness of the self-lubricated steel sheets.

Hot-Dip Coating of Lead-free Aluminum on Steel Substrates with Ultrasonic Vibration

Hot-dip coating has been practically employed in manufacturing zinc alloy coated steel sheets.However,it is difficult to coat aluminum alloy on a bulky steel substrate without sufficient preheating,because a rapidly solidified layer containing gas babbles is formed on a substrate surface.A variety of iron-aluminides are also formed at the interface of a steel and aluminum hot-dip coating system,which is the main difficulty in joining of steel with aluminum.Ultrasonic vibration was applied to a steel substrate during hot-dip coating of aluminum alloy to control a rapidly solidified layer and a brittle reaction layer.Hot dipping of columnar steel substrates into molten aluminum alloy （Al-2.7 mass fraction Si-4.6 mass fraction Sn） was carried out through the use of a Langevin oscillator with resonant frequency of 19.5 kHz.The application of ultrasonic vibration is quite effective to control a rapidly solidified layer and a surface oxide layer from a substrate surface by the sonocapillary effect based on a cavitation phenomenon,so that the intimate contact is achieved at the beginning of hot-dip coating.The application of ultrasonic vibration to hot-dipping is effective to control a reaction layer with less than 5 #m in thickness.An impact test exhibits that the good adhesive strength is approved in hot-dipped aluminum coatings with a thin reaction layer of approximately 5μm.

Analysis of Coating Microstructure of Hot-Dip Aluminum of Deformed Low-Carbon Steel Containing Rare Earth

The coating microstructure of hot-dip aluminum (HDA) of deformed low-carbon steel containing RE was analyzed by metallography microscopy, TEM and XRD, and the forming mechanism was also discussed. The results show that, the Fe_2Al_5 phase, on whose subcrystal boundaries, Al particles with the size of 7～30 μm existing on parallel linear are, grows a strong orientation. And the spread activation energy of Al is 155.22 kJ·mol -1. In addition, the effects of deformation on coating microstructure of hot-dip aluminum and the function of RE were preliminarily analyzed.

Morphology and corrosion resistance of composite coatings obtained by phosphating and molybdate post-sealing on galvanized steel

The phosphated hot-dip galvanized(HDG) sheets were post-sealed with sodium molybdate solution to improve the corrosion resistance of phosphate coatings. The morphology,chemical composition and corrosion resistance of the coatings were investigated using scanning electron microscopy(SEM),energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS),Tafel polarization measurements and neutral salt spray(NSS) tests,and were compared with those of the single coatings. The results show that post-sealing the phosphated HDG steel with molybdate solution,the pores among the zinc phosphate crystals are sealed with molybdate films containing Zn,P,O and Mo,and the continuous composite coatings are formed. The suppression of both the anodic and the cathodic processes of zinc corrosion on the samples are enhanced significantly. The synergistic corrosion protection effect of the single phosphate coatings and molybdate films for zinc is evident. The corrosion resistance of the composite coatings increases with phosphating time up to 300 s.

Influence of Ni-electrodeposited Pretreatment on Galvanized Coatings of Reactive Steels

Four types of steel sheets containing 0.04%, 0.09%, 0. 14% and 0.36% Si, respectively, were electrodeposited with a nickel layer of 3 tam in thickness and then galvanized in molten Zn at 450℃ for various periods of time. The formation and growth of intermetallic compound layers on the surface of the samples were investigated by SEM and EDS. The experimental results show that the method of Ni-electrodeposited pretreatment can distinctively restrain the over-growth of the galvanized coatings of reactive steels and get eligible coatings with a proper thickness, bright appearance and strong adherence. EDS results indicate that a series of Ni-Zn intermetallic compounds γ′, γ and δ, are first formed on the surface of the samples. With a prolonged immersion time, the F2-Fe-Zn-Ni and δ-Fe-Zn are formed accompanied by the gradual disappearance of γ′, γ and δ2 layer. After a longer immersion time, the lumpy ζ- Fe-Zn occurs between δ and liquid Zn and the F-Fe-Zn does between steel substrate and δ. Subsequently, ζ is in the form of a continuous and compact layer. The method of Ni-electrodeposited pretreatment changes the formation of Fe-Zn intermetallic compounds, which delay the growth of lumpy （and promote the growth of compact δ. Consequently, the abnormal growth of reactive steels is eliminated.

A sandwich-like structure hybrid coating of cold galvanizing coating/polydopamine on hot-dip galvanized steel with enhanced adhesion and corrosion resistance

This study aims to enhance the adhesion strength and anti-corrosion performance of the cold galvanizing coating(CGC)applied on the hot-dip galvanized steel(HDG).Polydopamine(PDA)is deposited on the HDG surface with different time ranges and as an interlayer between CGC and HDG through covalent immobilization.The surface morphology and the covalent interaction between PDA/HDG are exhibited by scanning electron microscope(SEM),atomic force microscopy(AFM)and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).The pull-off adhesion tests before and after neutral slat spry tests show an enhanced dry adhesion strength and less adhesion loss of the hybrid CGC/PDA coated HDG compared with the direct CGC coated HDG.In addition,open circuit potential(OCP)reveals that the corrosion protection performance of the hybrid CGC/PDA coated HDG increases by 200%(up to 201 d)and the corrosion density icorrattaining about 4.45×10^(-7)A/cm^(2).Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS)measurements and X-ray diffraction(XRD)analysis confirm that the precipitate of the stable chelation formed by PDA and Zn^(2+)between CGC and HDG substrate can also improve the corrosion protection performance.Such a strategy of strengthening adhesion and forming the chelate compound at the HDG surface promises a new route to corrosion protection of CGC on HDG.

The Influence of Al on the Surface Properties of the Hot-dip Galvanized Melt

Wettability of Zn-Al alloy melt on the pure iron substrate at 450℃was studied.The effect of Al content(Zn,Zn-1Al,Zn-2Al,Zn-3Al,Zn-4Al,and Zn-5Al)on the wetting behavior and interfacial reaction was investigated by high-temperature contact angle measuring device and scanning electron microscope(SEM).The results show that,with the increase of Al content,the initial contact angle of the molten alloy on the substrate decreases gradually and the wettability increases gradually.Compared with the initial contact angle,the final contact angle is slightly reduced,because the Fe-Al inhibition layer is preferentially formed at the interface when adding Al to the alloy.The presence of Al will promote the occurrence of the reactive wetting,leading to an insignificant wetting spreading process,and the final contact angle negligibly differs from the initial contact angle.The adhesion work and charge density distributions of interface systems were calculated based on the first-principles.The results show that the adhesion work of the Fe/Zn and Fe/(Zn-Al)interface model is 2.0171 J/m^(2)and 13.7944 J/m^(2),respectively.The addition of Al greatly increases the adhesion work between alloy melt and iron substrate.Compared with the Zn-Fe and Al-Fe interface models,it can be seen that a significant charge migration phenomenon occurs between the interfaces.The amount of charge migration in the Al-Fe interface model is much larger than that in the Zn-Fe interface model,indicating that the bonding between Al-Fe atoms can occur more easily and the interaction between Al-Fe interfaces is stronger.This is also the reason why the addition of Al increases the adhesion work between interfaces.

Hot-Dip Galvanized Sheet Production and Application

Hot-dip galvanized sheet is wildly used in construction,household appliances,ship,vehicle and vessel building and machinery,etc.In last ten years,with the development of automobile industry,the anti-eorrosion requirements for car body are increasingly strict,by which the rapid development in technology has been promoted.The application of hot-dip galvanized sheet,technological progress in production and some Chinese large units were introduced.

Analysis of causes and influence factors of small black spot defects in hot-dip galvanized pure Zn products

In this study,the factors affecting the formation of small black spot defects on the surface of a hot-dip galvanized pure zinc strip are analyzed. These defects are primarily formed w hen the iron-aluminum inhibition layer is incompletely formed or fails to form or when foreign matter adheres to the surface or embeds in the zinc layer.The defects can be reduced by controlling the cleanliness and activity of the strip base before coating,regulating the zinc pot process parameters,and ensuring the cleanliness of the passline and workshop.

Influence of oxidant KMnO_4 on film-forming process of rare earth metal conversion coating on LY12 aluminum alloy

A Cu/Al galvanic couple was established to study the influence of the oxidantKMnO_4 on the film-forming process of rare earth metal (REM) conversion coating on LY12 aluminumalloy. It is found that the galvanic couple simulative experiment accords with the actual immersion,and it can be substantially used to simulate the behavior of LY12 aluminum alloy in thefilm-forming process. It is showed that the formation of the coating is quickened in CeCl_3 solutioncontaining KMnO_4 compared with that not containing KMnO_4. XPS results reveal that the coatingformed on cathode is composed of oxide or hydroxide of Ce and Mn, so the mechanism of formation ofREM conversion coating changes when KMnO4 is added.

Evolution of appearance profile of hot-dip galvanized car-body steel sheet during deformation process

In recent years, the waterborne free intermediate coating process has been widely used in the automotive industry. Because the baking times and coating thickness are decreased, the surface covering capability of the painting process is reduced, which directly affects the appearance quality（ long-and short-wave values） of the body paint. Thus, there are correspondingly higher requirements for the white body surface profile prior to painting. The surface profile of the white body is mainly affected by the plate material, the surface profile, and the deformation process. So,the change rule for the surface profile during deformation of the steel plate is a key factor in coating appearance optimization. In this paper, we first analyze the typical deformation of the outer cover of a car body. Then ,we examine the change tendency of the surface profile of steel plates with respect to different deformation rates, specifically for a steel plate comprising a hot-dip galvanized bake-hardened steel sheet. Based on our analysis of the influence of the deformation on the coating appearance,we selected 3% ,5% ,and 8% deformation rates in this research. We found the roughness （Ra） value in the typical deformation range （3% -8% ） of the car body to exhibit a decreasing trend at first and then an increasing trend. The Ra value of the 8% deformation is not more than the original plate test value. When the Pc value of the original plate is in the lower range （ about 60）, it exhibits a slight increasing trend in the deformation process （3 % -8 % ）. And when the Pc value of the original plate is in the higher range （ about 120 ）, it exhibits no increasing trend in the deformation process （ 3% -8% ）. In contrast,the waviness （WCA） value in the car body＇s typical deformation range （3%-8%） shows a significant growth trend.