SUMMARY
Results of tests with hot-dip galvanising of reactive steel samples in multi-component baths: Zn-Al-Ni-Mn-Sn (WEGAL), Zn-Al-Ni-Mn-Sb, Zn-Al-Mn-Sb (WEGAL CK), have been presented. The coatings obtained during the batch and continuous hot-dip galvanising conducted at the temperature of 440-445 0C were universal and of high quality, at low zinc consumption. The bending tests were performed confirming very good plasticity of the coatings, which was due to their layered structure with uniformly distributed intermetallic phases. The zinc alloys used during tests ensure an uniform, favourable appearance of zinc coating on the articles of different steel grades, including reactive steels. Replacement of tin with antimony in the WEGAL alloy had no effect on the kinetics of parabolic growth of coating thickness with time in case of reactive steels under test. Application of the WEGAL alloy for industrial-scale galvanising resulted in zinc alloy savings of 20 PLN per ton of steel articles coated. This figure has been determined as a yearly average from coating of different steel products. An average alloy consumption per one ton of coated products was 60-63 kg, which is one of the best results on a world scale.
Keywords
Zinc, zinc alloys, hot-dip galvanising, zinc coating, reactive steel, antimony, Wegal.
1Instytut Metali Nieżelaznych, Gliwice
