Fe-Al interfacial layer formation kinetics during the continuous galvanizing of Mn-containing steels

A galvanizing simulator equipped with rapid spot-cooling was used to investigate the short-time microstructural development and formation kinetics of the Fe-Al interfacial layer on 0.2 to 3.0wt.% Mn-containing steels as a function of reaction time and substrate Mn content. Despite the selective oxidation of the steel surface, a well developed interfacial layer was observed for all experimental steels. For all reaction times, the interfacial layer on 1.4wt.% Mn steel showed the highest Al uptake. Fe-Al and Fe-Zn intermetallic compounds were observed at the interfacial layer on 2.5 and 3.0wt.% Mn steels.