Effect of elemental additions on hot-dipping galvanization behavior

Abstract

Hot-dip galvanization is a common corrosion-prevention technique for steel structures. The steel is submerged in a molten zinc bath, which forms a zinc coating on the steel’s surface. This provides a barrier against the corrosive elements. However, the galvanized covering can still deteriorate, especially in harsh environments. As a consequence, several studies have been conducted to improve the corrosion resistance of galvanized steel by adding metallic elements to the zinc coating. The aim of this study is to look at how metallic additions (Al addition up to 1%, Bi addition up to 1%, Pb addition up to 1%, Sb addition up to (1% and 2%), Sn addition up to 5%, Zn-Bi-Pb 1% addition, Zn-Sb-Sn 1% addition) affect the zinc coating by hot dipping galvanization. The microhardness, thickness, adherence, microstructure test, coating adhesion (Pull-Off test), and corrosion rate are studied.

Keywords:

• Hot dipping galvanization
• zinc coating
• surface preparation
• coating morphology
• corrosion resistance
• metallic additions

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.