Hot-Dip Galvanizing Process Using ZinQuench for Processing Advanced High-Strength Steels

Abstract

Abstract ZinQuench—Dynamic Galvanizing® (ZQ-DG) is an approach combining coatability improvement and process flexibility to produce advanced high-strength steels (AHSS). During this process, steel strips are gas-jet cooled and quenched from a high tuned temperature into a zinc melt with dynamic flow after annealing. The scientific objective is to develop ZQ-DG to design new AHSS with improved coating quality and mechanical properties simultaneously. The influence and effectiveness of the theoretical considerations are tested experimentally. Process parameters are studied with a laboratory scale hot-dip process simulator. Mechanical characterization of processed multiphase AHSS is carried out through a tensile test and correlated with steel microstructure. Wettability is also evaluated. The actual state of the investigations and results are presented and discussed for the different steels processed. Comparison between laboratory ZQ and conventional hot-dip galvanizing results allows forecasting of the industrial application potential of ZQ-DG to process flexibly new galvanized AHSS with lower alloying element content and resulting in less expensive products with improved mechanical properties.