• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.383-392
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• 2024

The presence of transition metals V, Cr or Mn in a 55%Al-Zn based coating metal can modify the equilibrium intermetallic phase, τ5c, by diffusion of transition metals and substituting for iron in the τ5c phase. We experimentally confirmed the modification of the IMC phase using various analytical techniques to characterize IMC phases. Experimental results confirmed the formation of a modified τ5c-Al₂₀(Fe,V)₅Si₂(+Zn) intermetallic phase. The modified IMC phase showed periodic repeating layers with varying concentrations of V while still maintaining a constant (Fe+V)/Fe ratio within the homogeneity range of Fe in the equilibrium IMC phase. We proposed a reaction-diffusion mechanism for forming a modified IMC phase and a periodic layered structure. The initial reaction of the steel strip resulted in the formation of Fe₄Al₁₃ IMC phase. Al, Si, and Zn diffused and reacted with Fe₄Al₁₃ to form the equilibrium bcc phase, τ5c. The Fe₄Al₁₃ phase was consumed in the reaction, followed by diffusion of V into the newly formed phase by substitution of Fe by V, resulting in formation of the modified IMC phase. At 600 ℃, the τ5c phase could dissolve up to 4.13 wt% (2.73 at.%) V without changing its overall bcc crystal structure.