Microstructure of the coating and mechanical properties of galvanized chromium-rich martensitic steel

Protecting the modern high-strength steels against corrosion is a challenge because the coating technology must be compatible with forming and must preserve the mechanical performances. Batch galvanizing after hot stamping could provide a simple solution to this complex problem. A commercial high-strength martensitic steel containing 13 wt.% Cr, 0.35 wt.% Si, 0.3 wt.% Mn and 0.15 wt.% carbon has been galvanized with a commercial zinc alloy. Galvanizing produces a ~ 15 μm thick coating that is bright, continuous and metallurgically bonded. The intermetallic layer is made of ς crystals, which forms an open 3-dimensional structure. Tin, nickel and aluminium are found able to moderate the Sandelin effect. Comparison with other steels galvanized the same way indicates that chromium slows down the kinetics of the metallurgical reaction. Chromium distributes both in the ς and η phases, and follows a diffusion-like profile in the coating. The nickel from the alloy concentrates in the Fe–Zn intermetallic compound. Aluminium segregates at the surface and interface. It also provides a gettering effect that fixes silicon in sub-micron particles dispersed in the ς and η phases. Tensile experiments and fatigue tests demonstrate that the mechanical performances of the martensitic steel are preserved after coating. Comparison with similar experiments performed on a TRIP800 steel indicates that using galvanized martensitic steel is best worth in static applications.