Characterisation of industrially produced galvannealed coating by open circuit potential (OCP) measurement technique

An attempt has been made to characterise the industrially produced galvannealed coating by the open circuit potential (OCP) measurement technique. It confirms that the industrially produced galvannealed coating consists of four iron–zinc intermetallic phases, Fe3Zn10, Fe5Zn21, FeZn10 and FeZn13, in layers on the steel substrate. The OCP results are compared with other characterisation techniques such as galvanostatic scan EIS and glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES). The additional advantage of this technique is not only to confirm different iron–zinc intermetallic phases in the coating but also to identify the stability of all these phases in an aggressive chloride environment. It was established that the dissolution rate of the Fe3Zn10 phase which contains the maximum amount of iron is the slowest whereas the dissolution rate of the FeZn13 phase which contains the minimum amount of iron is the fastest. This can be explained by the fact that the phase containing more of the more active metal (zinc) is dissolved faster than the phase containing more of the less active metal (iron).     

Influence of galvannealed process on coating corrosion resistance of high strength IF steel

Analyzing the influence of different galvannealed process parameters on coating corrosion resistance of high strength IF steel indicated that corrosion resistance rose with the increase in iron content. Corrosion resistance was related to the phase structure of coating and the fraction of different phases. The appearance of compact Γ₁phase indicated the great increase in coating corrosion resistance. At the same galvannealed time, coating corrosion resistance became better with the increase in the galvannealed temperature.     

热镀锌合金化镀层裂纹的产生与扩展机理

用配备拉伸／三点弯曲试验装置的SEM原位观察分析了热镀锌合金化钢板变形时镀层中裂纹产生、扩展、镀层断裂及在塑性变形过程中镀层与钢基体界面的交互作用。结果表明,在拉应力作用下,镀层的破坏可以分为两个过程：第一阶段主要表现为粉化;第二阶段主要表现为剥落。镀层在复合应力作用下的断裂并非沿着某一固定的界面发生,而是在载荷作用的...     

三元磷酸盐体系无机预润滑试剂的研发及其在改善热镀锌汽车板成形方面的应用

目的旨在合成一种用于改善热镀锌汽车板材料成形性能的无机预润滑试剂,以期降低热镀锌板表面摩擦系数,进而减少冲压过程中开裂等缺陷的发生。方法以磷酸、金属硝酸盐等为主要试剂合成机预润滑试剂,在热镀锌汽车板材料表面得到均匀、连续的无机预润滑薄膜。采用扫面电子显微镜、辉光光谱仪等手段对材料表面所形成的无机预润滑薄膜的基本形貌、厚度等进行表征。采用平板摩擦、深冲实验对材料涂覆预润滑膜后的表面摩擦系数及冲压性能进行分析。同时,根据汽车板材料认证特点,对无机预润滑处理后的热镀锌汽车板材料的焊接/胶接、涂装性能进行分析。结果采用辊涂法在热镀锌汽车板材料表面可形成厚度为50～60 nm连续、均匀的薄膜。较之普通热镀锌材料,上述表面涂覆无机预润滑薄膜后的热镀锌材料表面摩擦系数可有效下降13%。,且伴随板面温度升高,无机预润滑热镀锌材料表面摩擦系数的下降愈发明显;同时,无机预润滑处理热镀锌材料的焊接性能(包括焊接窗口、焊接寿命)符合同等厚度汽车板材料的认证需求。涂覆无机预润滑薄膜热镀锌板表面与汽车结构胶具有良好的兼容性;此外,汽车主机厂挂片实验结果证实,现有的脱脂工艺可将材料表面无机预润滑膜彻底脱除,所得磷化膜厚度、晶粒大小与普通热镀锌板无异。结论当前所研发的无机预润滑试剂在热镀锌板表面形成薄膜,在不影响材料其他各项性能的前提下,可有效降低材料摩擦系数,为减少冲压缺陷的发生提供保证。     

Use of GDOES method for evaluation of the quality and thickness of hot dip galvanised coating

The paper describes an assessment of thickness and quality of hot-dip galvanised coating by means of the glow discharge optical emission spectrometry method (GDOES). For comparison, a metallographic analysis was made using an optical microscope. An important factor influencing thickness and quality of the hot-dip galvanised coating is chemical composition of steel, particularly the amounts of silicon. Structural steels with a low amount of silicon S235JR and S355J2 were chosen for the experiment and high-strength steel S690QL with a high amount of silicon was chosen for comparative purposes. The results of the coating thickness measurement by means of GDOES and optical microscopy show only minimal differences. Steel S690QL shows a thick and uneven zinc coating. In the case of steels S235JR and S355J2 an optimal hot-dip galvanised coating was observed.     

Interpretation of the corrosion process of a galvannealed coating layer on dual-phase steel

The dissolution process of a galvannealed coating layer on dual-phase steel was examined by correlating a stripping test, metallographic observations and a polarisation test in an acidified chloride solution. The galvannealed coating layer was composed of several Fe–Zn intermetallic phases, namely the gamma, delta, and zeta phases, from the substrate. The dissolution began from the outermost zeta phase and proceeded to the gamma and then the delta phase. The dissolution rates for each intermetallic phase and galvanic couples were measured and estimated through a polarisation test, and the gamma phase in the gamma-substrate galvanic couple exhibited the highest corrosion rate.     

热镀锌合金化工艺对镀层表面摩擦特性的影响

采用SEM和AFM对不同合金化工艺的热镀锌合金化镀层断面结构和表面形貌进行观察和表征,并用摩擦系数仪测定了压力对不同工艺的镀层表面摩擦系数的影响,分析了合金化工艺和载荷对热镀锌合金化钢板(简称GA钢板)镀层表面摩擦特性的影响。结果表明,合金化时间为50 s时镀层表面的摩擦系数最大,此后随着合金化时间的延长镀层表面的摩擦系数基本保持不变;不同工艺的合金化镀层表面的相结构不同,当镀层表面以ζ相为主并伴有少量η相或以块状ζ相及致密的栅柱状δ相晶体为主时,镀层表面较平滑,表面没有出现明显的火山口状形貌时镀层表面的摩擦系数最小;随压应力的增加,镀层表面摩擦系数逐步增大,但是在较大压应力作用下,镀层表面摩擦系数的增幅明显降低。     

Influence of microstructure and texture on the formability character of industrially produced galvannealed coatings on three interstitial free steels

The formability character of industrially produced galvannealed coatings on three interstitial free steels has been investigated by carefully characterizing the substrate as well as coating microstructure and texture. The steel IF1 shows the highest amount of the beneficial δ phase in the galvannealed coating, while the IF2 shows the least and IF3 an intermediate amount of the δ phase. Correspondingly, the coating Fe content is minimum for the IF1 and maximum for IF2, with the IF3 displaying an intermediate amount. In the IF1 sample almost a complete fiber of the type {01.3}<uv.w> is present, the fiber character changes into a set of discrete orientations in the IF2 and the IF3 samples. A high amount of delta phase and a low iron content in the coating, along with a non-basal and uniform {01.3}<uv.w> coating texture have been found to be beneficial, leading to a lower powdering resistance of the coating. On the other hand, the density of the {111}-{113}-{313}-{001}-{101} planes of substrate steels appears to control the growth of the zeta phase in the coating.     

TC4合金表面渗钼层在模拟油田介质中的耐蚀性

采用等离子表面合金化技术对TC4合金进行渗钼表面改性,使用光学显微镜,辉光光谱分析仪和X射线衍射仪分析渗钼层的特征,借助电化学测试技术评价TC4合金和渗钼层在模拟油田介质中的耐蚀性。结果表明:渗钼层均匀、连续,渗层由钼的沉积层和扩散层组成;渗钼层的耐蚀性略低于TC4合金。     

基板表面粗糙度对合金化热镀锌板镀层组织的影响

利用扫描电镜和电感耦合实验观察了不同基板粗糙度的合金化热镀锌钢板表面形貌，测定了镀层中的Fe含量。结果表明，在相同的合金化工艺条件下，基板表面粗糙度越大，合金化镀层中的Fe含量越高。较大的基板粗糙度使镀层中的微裂纹增多，镀层均匀性变差。     

Experimental and finite element analysis for fracture of coating layer of galvannealed steel sheet

Mechanical properties of galvannealed (GA) steel sheet used for automotive exposed panel and predicted failure phenomenon of its coating layer were evaluated using finite element method. V-bending test was performed to understand better the fracture of coating layer of GA steel sheet during plastic deformation. Yield strength of the coating layer was calculated by using a relative difference between hardness of coating layer measured from the nano-indentation test and that of substrate. To measure shearing strength at the interface between substrate and coating layer, shearing test with two specimens attached by an adhesive was carried out. Using the mechanical properties measured, a series of finite element analyses coupled with a failure model was performed. Results reveal that the fracture of coating layer occurs in an irregular manner at the region where compressive deformation is dominant. Meanwhile, a series of vertical cracks perpendicular to material surface are observed at the tensile stressed-region. It is found that 0.26-0.28 of local equivalent plastic strain exists at the coating and substrate at the beginning of failure. The fracture of coating layer depends on ductility of the coating layer considerably as well.     

Surface topography evolvement of galvanized steels in sheet metal forming

U-channel forming tests were performed to investigate the surface topography evolvement of hot-dip galvanized(GI) and galvannealed(GA) steels and the effects of die hardness on sheet metal forming(SMF). Experimental results indicate that the surface roughness values of the two galvanized steels increase with the number of forming, i.e., the surface topographies of galvanized steels are roughened in SMF. Moreover, GI steel has a better ability of damage-resistance than GA steel. The mechanisms of topography evolvement are different in the forming of GI and GA steels. Scratch is the main form of surface damage in the forming of GI steels. The severity of scratch can be decreased by increasing die hardness. GA steel results in exfoliating of the coating firstly and then severe scratching. The surface topography of galvannealed steels can be improved by increasing die hardness. However, the hardness should not be too high.     

BH390钢热镀锌抑制层及其合金化镀层界面结构

利用SEM和TEM研究了铝含量不同的热镀锌镀层中抑制层的结构及抑制层在形成和生长过程中Zn-Fe-Al金属间化合物之间的反应过程;分析了铝含量不同的镀层合金化后镀层与BH390钢基体之间的界面结构。结果表明,随着锌液中铝含量的增加,镀层中抑制层的结构逐渐由晶粒粗大且不连续的Fe2Al5转变为晶粒细小相对致密的FeAl3。铝含量不同的热镀锌镀层在合金化过程中抑制层结构的变化和镀层中各相的形成及生长过程是不相同。随着锌液中铝含量的增加合金化镀层与钢基体界面结合处镀层结构的均匀性逐渐降低,在相同的合金化工艺条件下,随着锌液中铝含量的增加镀层的合金化时间延长。     

Effect of high temperature oxide scale on steel surface for electroless nickel plating process and characterization of coatings

An attempt has been made for an electroless nickel plating process on two steel substrates (with and without a high temperature oxide scale at the top surface) to identify the role of a high temperature iron oxide scale on coating kinetics. This study investigated if an iron oxide scale on the steel surface acts as a catalyst and promotes faster metal deposition. Coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), glow discharge oxy emission spectroscopy (GDOES), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and an iron oxide scale was characterized by Raman spectroscopy. Chemical composition and structure of both the coatings are the same but the coating obtained on a steel substrate having a high temperature oxide scale at the top is two times thicker. The electrochemical performances of both the coated steel substrates were evaluated by Tafel and electrochemical impedance (EIS) tests in an aggressive chloride environment. The coating obtained on a steel substrate containing a high temperature oxide scale at the top exhibits better resistance against chloride attack and charge transfer than the coating obtained on the steel substrate without a high temperature oxide scale at the top. This can be attributed to the highest thickness of this coating, which has the same chemical composition of the other coating, expected to give better resistance against chloride attack and charge transfer.     

IF钢合金化镀层相结构及60° V弯粉化性能研究

基于工业化生产的连续热镀锌产线，以无间隙原子钢（IF钢）合金化镀层板为研究对象，采用扫描电镜（SEM）、X射线衍射仪（XRD）、电感耦合等离子光谱仪（ICP）及60° V弯设备，研究了合金化温度对IF钢合金化镀层相结构、镀层Fe含量以及镀层抗粉化性能的影响规律。结果表明:在合金化温度为485~545 ℃时，随着温度的增加，镀层中η、ζ相依次消失，δ、Γ相含量逐渐增加，镀层Fe的质量分数由7%增加到12%，粉化宽度由2.45 mm增加到4.23 mm；在合金化温度为515~530 ℃时，镀层相结构主要为δ相，Fe含量约为10%，粉化宽度＜4 mm，镀层具有良好的综合性能。因此，可通过控制合金化温度来控制IF钢合金化镀层的相结构并获得相应的抗粉化对策，为大批量生产提供技术支撑。     

热镀锌合金化镀层相结构对摩擦特性与粉化量的影响

利用XRD、SEM、摩擦因数测量仪及双杯突试验机,研究了热镀锌合金化钢板(GA)镀层的相结构对摩擦特性与粉化量的影响。结果表明,随着GA镀层表面ζ相含量的增加,表面铁含量的降低,镀层表面的摩擦因数逐渐增加。相反,随着镀层中铁含量的增加,合金化镀层的粉化量逐渐增加。     

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy study on multi-layered coated steel sheets

Electroplating technique is used to coat nickel over the coated substrates like galvannealed and galvanized, and uncoated substrate of cold rolled closed annealed steel sheets as well. These coated substrates are exposed to 3.5% aqueous NaCl solution in a flat cell to carry out the corrosion tests. The effect of nickel coating on galvannealed, galvanized and cold rolled closed annealing steel sheets is studied for their anti-corrosive performance by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Electrochemical impedance data were analysed by using Bode and Nyquist plot by considering the metal-coating-electrolyte interface as an electrical equivalent circuit model. The circuit elements i.e. polarisation resistance and coating capacitance are determined to evaluate the corrosion behaviour of these multilayered coatings. The changes in the impedance characteristics of the systems are found to occur as a function of exposure time in all the three cases. These results have showed differences in the protective characteristics of the three systems, where the nickel coated galvannealed exhibited superior corrosion resistance compared to nickel coated cold rolled closed annealed and galvanised.     

Study on static and fatigue strength of structural adhesive-bonded joints of steel sheets for automotive application

The static and fatigue strength of crush durable structural adhesive-bonded lap joints of steel sheets for automobiles was evaluated by tensile shear tests. The steel sheets used in this study were uncoated and galvannealed (GA) with tensile strength ranging from 270 MPa-grade to 980 MPa-grade and the thickness ranging from 0.7 to 1.8 mm. Also, the effects of the adhesive types were evaluated. The results are as follows: In the static tensile shear tests, when the steel sheets deformed during the tensile test, the tensile shear strength increased with the increase in the base metal properties, such as the yield strength and thickness; however, when the base metal properties were sufficiently high not to undergo plastic deformation, the tensile shear strength exhibited a constant value. On the other hand, the effect of base metal properties on the fatigue joint strength was relatively small. The static joint strength of the GA steel joints was slightly lower than that of the uncoated steel sheets; however, the fatigue strength of the GA steel joints was higher than that of the uncoated steel sheets. The coating failure of the GA was affected by the type of adhesive, base metal properties and type of test. Choosing the proper adhesive can reduce the failure of the GA coating, and the high strength steel showed fewer coating failures than the mild steel.     

The characterization of continuous hot-dip galvanized and galvannealed steels

The use of zinc-coated steels for automotive, construction, and appliance applications has grown continually during the past decade. An understanding of the effects of process parameters and substrate characteristics on the coating microstructure is critical for optimizing the performance of the zinc-based coatings. This paper presents an overview of the application of advanced electron and focused-ion-beam microscopy techniques to characterize the microstructure of galvanized and galvannealed coatings.     

In-situ observation in a scanning electron microscope on the exfoliation behavior of galvannealed Zn-Fe coating layers

Exfoliation behavior of galvannealed (GA) coating layers was continuously observed in-situ under 3-point bending load in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Two kinds of substrate, Al-killed steel and Ti-stabilized interstitial free (IF) steel, were used. For GA coating layers formed on Al-killed steel, powdering was dominant at the region under compressive stress during the bending. Exfoliation occurred at the Γ/δ₁ interface, and the amount of exfoliation decreased with an increase in Fe content in the coating layer. Meanwhile, for GA layers coated on IF steel substrate, flaking was dominant. One of the perpendicular cracks that were pre-induced during galvannealing grew and propagated up to the Γ/Fe matrix interface with increasing strain. On the other hand, the crack initiated at the Γ/Fe matrix interface grew and propagated along the interface. Then, this crack combined with a nearby perpendicular crack, resulted in flaking.