Effect of Chemical Composition of Steel on the Structure of Hot – Dip Galvanized Coating

P. Pokorny, J. Kolisko, L. Balik – Czech Technical University – Klokner Institute, Prague, Czech Republic P. Novak – University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic This article describes the effect of the content of conventional steel impurity elements on the thickness and composition of the zinc layer. This article is focused primarily on low-temperature, batch hot-dip galvanizing; however, the continuous coating process is also mentioned. The main discussion covers galvanizing from pure zinc melt, and only touches on galvanizing from melts with the usual amounts of aluminium (0,2 wt. %). Silicon, phosphorus, aluminium and sulfur may have an especially negative effect on the mechanical properties of the coating and its final appearance. The content of ballast carbon and manganese has a rather limited effect on composition and coating thickness.