• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.15-22
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• 2017

An oxidation-reduction scheme is an alternative approach for improving the galvanizability of advanced high-strength steel in the continuous hot-dip galvanizing process. Here, we investigated the effect of oxygen partial pressure ($P_{O_2}$) on the oxidation behavior of a transformation-induced plasticity steel containing 1.5 wt% Si and 1.6 wt% Mn during heating to and holding for 60 s at $700^{\circ}C$ under atmospheres with various $P_{O_2}$ values. Irrespective of $P_{O_2}$, a thin amorphous Si-rich layer of Si-Mn-O was formed underneath the Fe oxide scale (a $Fe_2O_3/Fe_3O_4$ bilayer) in the heating stage. In contrast to Si, Mn tended to segregate at the scale surface as $(Fe,Mn)_2O_3$. The multilayered structure of $(Fe,Mn)_2O_3/Fe_2O_3/Fe_3O_4$/amorphous Si-Mn-O remained even after extended oxidizing at $700^{\circ}C$ for 60 s. $Fe_2O_3$ was the dominantly growing oxide phase in the scale. The enhanced growth rate of $Fe_2O_3$ with increasing $P_{O_2}$ resulted in the formation of more Kirkendall voids in the amorphous Si-rich layer and a less Mn segregation at the scale surface. The mechanisms underlying the absence of FeO and the formation of Kirkendall voids are discussed.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• 제8권6호
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• pp.217-222
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• 2009

The production of advanced high strength steels requires the improvement of cooling technology. The use of high cooling rates allows relatively low levels of expensive alloying additions to ensure sufficient hardenability. In classical annealing and hot-dip galvanizing lines a mixing station is used to provide atmosphere gas containing 3-5% hydrogen and 97-95% nitrogen in the various sections of the furnace, including the rapid cooling section. Heat exchange enhancement in this cooling section can be insured by the increased hydrogen concentration. Drever International developed a patented improvement of cooling technology based on the following features: pure hydrogen gas is injected only in the rapid cooling section whereas the different sections of the furnace are supplied with pure nitrogen gas; the control of flows through atmosphere gas management allows to get high hydrogen concentration in cooling section and low hydrogen content in the other furnace zones. This cooling technology development insures higher cooling rates without additional expensive hydrogen gas consumption and without the use of complex sealing equipments between zones. In addition reduction in electrical energy consumption is obtained. This atmosphere control development can be combined with geometrical design improvements in order to get optimised cooling technology providing high cooling rates as well as reduced strip vibration amplitudes. Extensive validation of theoretical research has been conducted on industrial lines. New lines as well as existing lines, with limited modifications, can be equipped with this new development. Up to now this technology has successfully been implemented on 6 existing and 7 new lines in Europe and Asia.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• 제9권6호
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• pp.239-246
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• 2010

When galvanized steel strip is produced through a continuous hot-dip galvanizing process, the thickness of the adhered zinc film is controlled by impinging a thin plane nitrogen gas jet. The thickness of the zinc film is generally affected by impinging pressure distribution, its gradient and shearing stress at the steel strip. These factors are influenced by static pressure of gas spraying at air knife nozzle, a nozzle-to-strip distance and strip and a geometric shape of the air knife, as well. At industries, galvanized steel strip is produced by changing static pressure of gas and a distance between the air knife nozzle and strip based on experimental values but remaining a geometric shape of nozzle. Splashing and check-mark strain can generally occur when a distance between the air knife nozzle and strip is too short, while ability of zinc removal can lower due to pressure loss of impinging jet when a distance between the air knife nozzle and strip is too long. In present study, buckling of the jet and change of static pressure are observed by analyzing flow characteristics of the impinging jet. The distance from the nozzle exit to the strip varies from 6 mm to 16 mm by an increment of 2 mm. Moreover, final coating thickness with change of a distance between the air knife nozzle and strip is compared with each case. An ability of zinc removal with the various distances is predicted by numerically calculating the final coating thickness.