• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.198-205
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• 2023

We investigated the effects of Al and Mg on the microstructure and hardness of the coating layer of galvanized steel sheets, by thermodynamic calculations, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Vickers hardness tests of Zn-0.2Al, Zn-6Al-2Mg, and Zn-10Al-5Mg coating layers. Regardless of the alloy composition of the galvanizing bath, a Fe-Al layer was observed between the coating layer and steel sheet. The Zn-0.2Al coating layer consists of major h.c.p. Zn phase and minor f.c.c. Al phase. The fraction of f.c.c. Al phase (containing a significant amount of Zn) of the coating layer increases with increasing the chemical composition of Al of the galvanizing bath. The h.c.p. MgZn₂ phase was formed in the Al/Mg-containing Zn-6Al-2Mg and Zn-10Al-5Mg coating layers, forming Zn-Al-MgZn₂ eutectic microstructure. The primary MgZn₂ phase was additionally formed in the Zn-10Al-5Mg coating layers containing high concentrations of Al and Mg. The Vickers hardness values of Zn-0.2Al, Zn-6Al-2Mg, and Zn-10Al-5Mg coating layers were 59.1 ± 1.2 HV, 161.2 ± 5.7 HV, and 215.5 ± 40.3 HV, respectively. The addition of Al and Mg increased the hardness of the coating layer by increasing the fraction of the Al phase (containing Zn) and MgZn₂ intermetallic compound, which were harder than the Zn phase.

• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2001

Gas wiping process of continuously hot-dip galvanized coating on steel strip has noise and coating problems. To improve the qualify of product, characteristics of air flow on the steel surface must be investigated. In this paper, fluid dynamic model of the gas flow is setup and solved numerically using STAR-CD. The effects of edge baffle, distance between steel plane edge and baffle, inlet pressure, and gap between air knife and strip steel surface are investigated, and it is concluded that edge baffle can reduce over-coating and edge built-up.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.49 no.11
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• pp.831-838
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• 2011

Effects of spangle size and crystallographic characteristics on the surface appearance, galling properties, and adhesive strength of hot-dip galvanized steel sheets have been investigated. Both spangle size and crystallographic orientation measured by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction were identified as critical factors influencing the galvanized coating performance. By decreasing the spangle size, surface appearance and galling properties related to the friction coefficient were significantly improved. However, low temperature adhesive-strength with small spangle galvanized steel sheets showed lower values compared to commercially used galvanized coating. The variation of adhesive strength in terms of spangle size has been clarified.

• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.157-164
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• 1999

In this study the effect of nickel addition on the coating weight of mini-mill steels containing silicon has been studied. It is shown that the pure zinc accelerated growth of the alloy layers occurred by a rapid growth of the zeta phase at 0.06%Si. The addition of 0.06%Ni to a pure zinc bath was found to be very effective in reducing the coating weight and promoting preferential development of the delta phase. The coating obtained by immersion in the Zn-Ni bath shows the presence of a nickel-rich region between the zeta phase and the eta phase. It is suggested that nickel prevents the rapid growth of the zeta phase due to the formation of the Zn-Ni-Fe ternary compound, which may act as a barrier to inward diffusion of zinc or iron at the zeta-eta boundary.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.29 no.10 s.241
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• pp.1156-1162
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• 2005

In this study, a noble method is proposed to prevent the edge overcoating (EOC) that may develop near the edge of the steel strip in the gas wiping process of continuous hot-dip galvanizing. In our past study (Trans. of the KSME (B), Vol. 27, No. 8, pp. $1105\~1113$), it was found that EOC is caused by the alternating vortices which are generated by the collision of two opposed jets in the region outside the steel strip. When the two opposed jets collide at an angle much less than $180^{o}$, non-alternating stable vortices are established symmetrically outside the steel strip, which lead to nearly uniform pressure on the strip surface. In order to deflect both jets downward by a certain angle, a cylinder with small diameter is installed tangentially to the exit of the lower lip of the two-dimensional jet. In order to find an optimum cylinder diameter, the three dimensional flow field is analysed numerically by using the commercial code, STAR-CD. And the coating thickness is calculated by using an integral analysis method to solve the boundary layer momentum equation. In order to compare the present noble method with the conventional baffle plate method to prevent the EOC, the flow field with a baffle plate is also calculated. The calculation results show that the tangentially installed cylinder at the bottom lip of the jet exit is more effective than the baffle plate to prevent EOC.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.105-108
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• 2010

The product specification of the Continuous Hot Dip Galvanizing Line (CGL) changes and varies constantly with different customers' requirements, especially in the zinc coating weight which is from 30 to 150 g/$m^2$ on each side. Since the coating weight of zinc changes often, it is very important to reduce time spent in the transfer of target values changed for low production cost and yield loss. The No.2 CGL in China Steel Corporation (CSC) has improved the control of the air knife which is designed by Siemens VAI. CSC proposed an experiment design which is an $L_9(3^4)$ orthogonal array to find the relations between zinc coating weight and the process parameters, such as the line speed, air pressure, gap of air knife and air knife position. A non-linear regression formula was derived from the experimental results and applied in the mathematical model. A new air knife feedforward control system, which is coupled with the regression formula, the air knife control system and the process computer, is implemented into the line. The practical plant operation results have been presented to show the transfer time is obviously shortened while zinc coating weight target changing and the product rejected ratio caused by zinc coating weight out of specification is significantly reduced from 0.5% to 0.15 %.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.297-303
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• 2023

This study aimed to evaluate hydrogen permeation behaviors of pre-strained twinning-induced plasticity steel with or without Zn coating using electrochemical permeation technique. In contrast to un-strained and 30% strained samples, permeation current density was measured in the 60% strained sample. Tensile pre-straining at 60% involved microstructural modifications, including a high level of dislocation density and stacking fault with a semi-coherent twin boundary, which might provide a high diffusion path for hydrogen atoms. However, reproducibility of measurements of hydrogen permeation current was low due to non-uniform deformation and localized stress concentration. On the other hand, the permeation current was not measured in pre-strained TWIP steel with Zn coating. Instead, numerous blisters with some cracks were observed on the surface of the coating layer. In locally damaged Zn coating under tensile straining, hydrogen atoms could relatively easily permeate through the coating layer. However, they were trapped at the interface between the coating layer and the substrate, which might delay hydrogen penetration into the steel substrate.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.83-92
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• 2024

A hot-dip simulator was utilized to replicate abnormal coating buildup observed during line stops at galvanize lines, assessing the influence of processing conditions on buildup (up to 14 mm/side). Steel samples from 19 coils (comprising IF, BH, LCAK, HSLA, DP600-DP1180, Si: 0.006 - 0.8 wt%, P: 0.009 - 0.045 wt%) were examined to explore the phenomenon of heavy coating growth. It was discovered that heavy coating buildup (~3 mm/h) and rapid strip dissolution (~0.17 mm/h) in a GA or GI pot can manifest with specific combinations of steel chemistry and processing conditions. The results reveal the formation of a unique coating microstructure, characterized by a blend of bulky Zeta crystals and free Zn pockets/networks due to the "Sandlin" growth mechanism. Key variables contributing to abnormal coating growth include steel Si content, anneal temperature, dew point in heating and soaking furnaces, Zn pot temperature, Zn bath Al%, and cold-rolling reduction%. At ArcelorMittal Dofasco galvanize lines, an automatic online warning system for operators and special scheduling for incoming Si-bearing steels have been implemented, effectively preventing further heavy buildup occurrences.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.69-75
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• 2017

Zinc coating on carbon steels give the higher corrosion resistance in chloride containing environments and in carbonated concrete. However, hydrogen evolution accompanies the corrosion of zinc in the initial activity in fresh concrete, which can lead to the formation of a porous structure at the reinforcement -concrete interface, which can potentially reduce the bond-strength of the reinforcement with concrete. The present study examines the mechanism of the corrosion of hot-dip galvanized steel in detail, as in the model pore solutions and real concrete. Calcium ion plays an important role in the corrosion mechanism, as it prevents the formation of passive layers on zinc at an elevated alkalinity. The corrosion rate of galvanized steel decreases in accordance with the exposure time; however, the reason for this is not the zinc transition into passivity, but the consumption of the less corrosion-resistant phases of hot-dip galvanizing in the concrete environment. The results on the electrochemical tests have been confirmed by the bond-strength test for the reinforcement of concrete and by evaluating the porosity of the cement adjacent to the reinforcement.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.37-37
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• 2012

The coated steels, mainly with zinc by either hot-dip galvanizing or electroplating, are widely used for panels of automotive, electrical appliances and construction, whose size of world market have reached 130 million tons in 2008. Current issues for the coated steels can be integrated in terms of high functionality, low cost, environment-friend and available resource. The best solution can be provided if thin layer coating with higher quality is produced by an eco-friendly process, and PVD, physical vapor deposition, can be an alternative practice to existing coating processes. PVD technologies have been very common ones in electronic and semiconductor industries, but recognized as non-profitable processes for the coated steels due to low process speed and lack of continuous operation skills. Systematic researches from 1990s in Europe, even though discouraged by a shutdown of the first Japanese PVD coating plant in 1999, have realized several continuous PVD coating plants, and also enhanced launching of developments in steel industries. To be successful with PVD coating technologies over existing ones, productivity to meet economics should be created from a highly sophisticated process. Some PVD technologies fit for the high-speed process will be introduced together with experiences from industrial applications.