Thermodynamic study of the galvanizing process in a Zn-0.1%Ni bath

• Published in: Journal of materials science 1998-10, Vol.33 (19), p.4759-4768
• Main Authors: REUMONT, G, PERROT, P, FOCT, J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alloying effects; Alloying elements; Applied sciences; Dross; Exact sciences and technology; Galvanizing; Killed steels; Liquid phases; Liquid-solid interfaces; Materials science; Metallic coatings; Metals. Metallurgy; Nickel; Production techniques; Silicon steels; Substrates; Surface treatment; Zinc
• ISSN: 0022-2461; 1573-4803
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1004453523908

The addition of alloying elements to the zinc bath is one of the best solution to reduce overthicknesses of the coating when galvanizing silicon-killed steels. The use of nickel addition to the molten zinc offers industrial advantages, especially in the modification of the Sandelin curve related to the reactivity of steels towards the galvanizing bath. However, dross formation in a 0.1 wt% Ni bath is the main drawback of the process.Bending on thermodynamic description of the ternary Fe–Zn–Ni system at 450°C, the reaction between a pure iron substrate and a nickel added zinc bath is modelled at 450°C. The approach of the extension of the liquid phase in the quaternary Fe–Zn–Si–Ni system leads to understanding of the effect of nickel addition to the zinc bath when galvanizing reactive silicon steels. These thermodynamic interpretations lead to understanding of experimental phenomena during the galvanizing process: dross formation, reduction of the coating thickness, smoothing the solid–liquid interface when nickel is added to the zinc bath at 450°C. Based on morphological and kinetic observations, steel-zinc reactions are clearly investigated showing the important effect of alloying elements to the substrate or to the bath.