• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.364-372
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• 2003

In continuous galvanizing process, dissolution of iron into molten zinc results in a fairly great amount of dross. In order to decrease dross, the amount of dissolved iron of strip in molten zinc was investigated in the range of 0∼0.22%Al content, 440∼$470^{\circ}C$ strip temperature and 3∼60 sec dipping time. Uniform Fe-Al-Zn inhibition layer was formed in the coating layer/strip interface not only in the grain boundary but also in the grain of substrate with the increase of Al content in the zinc pot, while the amount of iron dissolution was decreased. Inhibition layer was unstable as the dipping time and strip temperature increased and the amount of iron dissolution increased.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2012

The development of martensitic grades which can be processed in continuous galvanizing lines requires the reduction of the oxides formed on the steel during the hot dip process. This reduction mechanism was investigated in detail by means of High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM) of cross-sectional samples. Annealing of a martensitic steel in a 10% $H_2+N_2$ atmosphere with the dew point of $-35^{\circ}C$ resulted in the formation of a thin $_{C-X}MnO.SiO_{2}$ (x>1) oxide film and amorphous $_{a-X}MnO.SiO_{2}$ oxide particles on the surface. During the hot dip galvanizing in Zn-0.13%Al, the thin $_{C-X}MnO.SiO_{2}$ (x>1) oxide film was reduced by the Al. The $_{a-X}MnO.SiO_{2}$ (x<0.9) and $a-SiO_{2}$ oxides however remained embedded in the Zn coating close to the steel/coating interface. No $Fe_{2}Al_{5-X}Zn_{X}$ inhibition layer formation was observed. During hot dip galvanizing in Zn-0.20%Al, the $_{C-X}MnO.SiO_{2}$ (x>1) oxide film was also reduced and the amorphous $_{a-X}MnO.SiO_{2}$ and $a-SiO_{2}$ particles were embedded in the $Fe_{2}Al_{5-X}Zn_{X}$ inhibition layer formed at the steel/coating interface during hot dipping. The results clearly show that Al in the liquid Zn bath can reduce the crystalline $_{C-X}MnO.SiO_{2}$ (x>1) oxides but not the amorphous $_{a-X}MnO.SiO_{2}$ (x<0.9) and $a-SiO_{2}$ oxides. These oxides remain embedded in the Zn layer or in the inhibition layer, making it possible to apply a Zn or Zn-alloy coating on martensitic steel by hot dipping. The hot dipping process was also found to deteriorate the mechanical properties, independently of the Zn bath composition.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2011

The effect of dynamic flow or forced convection were investigated and compared on the formation of inhibition layer, galvanizing and galvannealing reactions through the hot-dip galvanizing simulator with the oscillation of specimen in zinc bath, continuous galvanizing pilot plant with zinc pumping system through the snout and continuous galvanizing operation with Dynamic $Galvanizing^{TR}$ system. The interfacial Al pick-up was not consistent between the results of simulator, pilot plant and line operation, but the morphology of inhibition layer became compact and refined by the forced convection. The growth of Fe-Zn intermetallics at the interface was inhibited by the forced convection, whereas the galvannealing rate would be a little promoted.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.247-253
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• 2010

The characteristics of selective oxidation prior to hot-dip galvanizing with the annealing atmosphere dew point and chemical composition in dual-phase steels and their effect on the inhibition layer formation relevant to coating adhesion have been studied using a combination of electron microscopic and surface analytical techniques. The annealed and also galvanized samples of 3 kinds of Si/Mn ratios with varied amounts of Si addition were prepared by galvanizing simulator. The dew point was controlled at soaking temperature $800^{\circ}C$ in 15%$H_2$ -85%$N_2$ atmosphere. It was shown that good adhesion factors were mainly uniformity of oxide particle distribution of low number density and low Si/Mn ratio prior to hot-dip galvanizing. Their effect was the greatly reduced coating bare spots and the formation of uniform inhibition layer leading to good adhesion of Zn overlay. The mechanism of good adhesion is suggested by two processes: the formation of inhibition layer on the oxide free surface uncovered with no $SiO_2$-containing particles in particular, and the inhibition layer bridging of oxide particles. The growth of inhibition layer was enhanced markedly by the delayed reaction of Fe and Al with the increase of Si/Mn ratio.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.6-12
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• 2011

The selective surface oxidation of a transformation-induced-plasticity (TRIP) steel containing 1.6 wt.% Mn and 1.5 wt.% Si during annealing at $800^{\circ}C$ was investigated for its influence on the formation of an inhibition layer during hot-dip galvanizing. The selective oxidation of the alloying elements and the oxide morphology were significantly influenced by the annealing atmosphere. The pure $N_{2}$ atmosphere with a dew point $-40^{\circ}C$ promoted the selective oxidation of Mn as a crystalline $Mn_{2}SiO_{4}$ phase, whereas the $N_{2}$ + 10% $H_{2}$ atmosphere with the same dew point $-40^{\circ}C$ promoted the selective oxidation of Si as an amorphous Si-rich oxide phase. During hot-dip galvanizing, the $Mn_{2}SiO_{4}$ phase was reduced more readily by Al in the Zn bath than the Si-rich oxide phase. Consequently, the pure $N_{2}$ atmosphere resulted in a higher formation rate of $Fe_{2}Al_{5}$ particles at the Zn/steel interface and better galvanizability than the $N_{2}$ + 10% $H_{2}$ atmosphere.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.259-264
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• 2010

In continuous hot dip galvanizing process, oxide formation on steel surface has an influence on Zn wetting. High strength automotive steel contains high amount of Si and Mn, where Si-Mn composite oxides such as $Mn_2SiO_4$ or $MnSiO_3$ covers the surface after annealing. Zn wetting depends on how the aluminothermia reaction can reduce the Mn-Si composite oxides and then form inhibition layer such as $Fe_2Al_5$ on the steel surface. The outward diffusion of metallic ions such as $Mn^{2+}$, $Si^{2+}$ in the steel matrix is very important factor for the formation of the surface oxides on the steel surface. The surface state and grain boundaries provide an important role for the diffusion and the surface oxide reactions. Some elements such as P, Sb, and B have a strong affinity for the interface precipitation, and it influence the diffusivity of metallic ions on grain boundaries. B oxide forms very rapildly on the steel surface during the annealing, and this promote complex oxides with $SiO_2$ or MnO. P has inter-reacted with other elements on the grain boundaries and influence the diffusion through on them. Small addition of Sb could suppress the decarburization from steel surface and retards the formation of internal and external selective oxides on the steel surface. Interface control by the trace elements such as Sb could be available to improve the Zn wettability during the hot dip galvanizing.