Abstract
The influence of laser surface structuring on the formation and the internal strength of electrodeposited ZnNi coatings on steel sheets was investigated. Surface structuring by extended direct laser interference patterning (xDLIP) was used to modify the cohesive strength in the ZnNi layer. An SEM analysis of the crystal structures shows perpendicular nucleation during ZnNi layer formation and areas of crosslinked crystalline structures, which results in an interlocking of crystal structures within the layer. The interlocked crystalline structure leads to an increase of the cohesive strength in the ZnNi layer, which was observed in roller peel tests according to DIN 1464 for adhesively bonded joints.
Highlights
Besides aluminum, steel alloys remain the co-determining material in automotive engineering for lightweight construction in the current attempts to reduce the CO2 footprint
The interlocked crystalline structure leads to an increase of the cohesive strength in the ZnNi layer, which was observed in roller peel tests according to DIN 1464 for adhesively bonded joints
Various surface structures formed on steel sheets by extended direct laser interference patterning were examined regarding their influence on crystal growth within the applied electrodeposited ZnNi layer and its mechanical properties
Summary
Steel alloys remain the co-determining material in automotive engineering for lightweight construction in the current attempts to reduce the CO2 footprint. In view of the development of electric driving, simple component geometries with optimal bending abilities will still be required to absorb high energies in the car body and increasing driving dynamics loads in the chassis. To meet in-service relevant surface protection requirements, cathodic deposition processes are used for steel components in automotive industry, such as electrolytic galvanization or e-coating [3,4,5,6,7]. In contrast to the protection of visible car body components, where multilayer coating systems are used, the corrosion protection performance of coated chassis components is currently only tested under standard climatic conditions. In automotive industry, surface protective coatings must provide an increasing variety of properties.
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