XPS study of the surface chemistry of conventional hot-dip galvanised pure Zn, galvanneal and Zn–Al alloy coatings on steel

• Published in: Acta materialia Vol. 51; no. 18; pp. 5413 - 5424
• Main Authors: Feliu, S, Barranco, V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 20-10-2003; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Galfan and galvanneal; Galvanised steel; Hot dipping; Metallic coatings; Metals. Metallurgy; Production techniques; Surface treatment; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; Galfan and galvanneal; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; Galvanised steel; Hot dipping; Hot dip galvanizing; Galvanized steel; Surface analysis; Experimental study; Coatings; Surface treatment; X-ray photoelectron spectra
• ISSN: 1359-6454; 1873-2453
• DOI: 10.1016/S1359-6454(03)00408-7

This study uses X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to analyse the outer surfaces of galvanised, galfan and galvanneal metallic coatings obtained by hot dipping. Considerable aluminium segregation towards the surface, principally as Al
2O
3, has been seen in all the studied coatings. The aluminium content on the surface was surprisingly similar to or even greater than the zinc content, which is the major element in the chemical composition of these coatings. The formation of Al
2O
3 seems to prevent the oxidation of the zinc in the metallic coating.