Metallurgical Analysis as a Useful Method for Fire Investigation: the Case of Galvanized Steel Sheets

Abstract In this work, fire simulations were carried out on zinc-coated steel sheets usually employed for the structural parts of furniture, transformer rooms and aeration pipes. The thermal alteration induced by was simulated heating samples at 13 different temperatures (from 20° C to 1050° C) exposure times (1 h 6 h) in a laboratory furnace. metallurgical investigation concerned surface coloring photographic analysis, morphology chemical composition oxides SEM EDS microstructure modifications as function temperature LOM. influence parameters discussed statistical approach. obtained results allowed associate one or more color, oxides.