• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2024

The conventional degreasing process involves removing oil and contaminants at temperatures above 80℃, resulting in excessive energy consumption, increased process costs, and environmental issues. In this study, we aimed to find the optimal degreasing conditions for the pre-treatment process of electro-galvanizing cold-rolled steel sheets, conducted efficiently at room temperature without the need for a separate heating device. To achieve this, we developed a room temperature degreasing solution and a brush-type degreasing tool, aiming to reduce energy consumption and normalize the decrease in degreasing efficiency caused by temperature reduction. Alkaline degreasing solution were prepared using KOH, SiO₂, NaOH, Na₂CO₃, and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, with KOH and NaOH as the main components. To enhance the degreasing performance at room temperature, we manufactured additives including sodium oleate, sodium stearate, sodium palmitate, sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, silicone emulsion, and EDTA-Na. Room temperature additives were added to the alkaline degreasing solution in quantities ranging from 0.1 to 20 wt.%, and the uniformity of degreasing and the adhesion of the galvanized layer were evaluated through Dyne Test, T-bending Test, OM, SEM, and EDS analyses. The results indicated that the optimal degreasing solution composition consisted of NaOH (30 g/L), Na₂CO₃ (30 g/L), SLS (6 g/L), and room temperature additives (≤1 wt%).

• 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.