Hot-Dip Aluminized Steel Coating for Corrosion and Workability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high-strength steel sheets for automobiles face challenges in achieving both corrosion resistance and workability due to issues like liquid metal embrittlement during welding and inadequate sacrificial corrosion resistance in aluminum plating, while continuous production methods are hindered by high oxide formation and production management difficulties.

Innovation Solution

A hot dip aluminized steel material with a base steel and a hot-dip aluminum-silicon coated layer, featuring an Al-enriched layer and a double-layer interfacial alloy structure, is developed, where the Al-enriched layer has 2-20 wt% Al, and the interfacial alloy layers have specific compositions and hardness, with controlled manufacturing conditions including immersion, plating solution adhesion, and alloying heat treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If 5% or more Mg is added to aluminum hot-dip plating to secure corrosion resistance, then sacrificial corrosion resistance is improved, but oxide and dross formation increases sharply

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidoxide and dross formation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the plating bath by limiting Mg content to 0.01-3% and Si content to 2-13%, and controls process parameters including plating bath temperature (580-660°C) and steel sheet introduction temperature (relative temperature difference of 40-100°C). This optimized parameter combination achieves both corrosion resistance and reduced oxide formation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite plating structure consisting of multiple layers: an Al-enriched layer (0.5-2.0 μm thick) on the steel sheet surface, an interfacial alloy layer with double-layer structure (lower alloy layer and upper alloy layer), and a hot-dip Al-Si coated layer (2-13% Si). This composite structure provides both corrosion resistance and workability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If high strength steel sheet is produced by increasing carbon content, then strength is improved, but ductility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteel sheet strengthVSAvoidductility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by controlling C content (0.20-0.40%) and adding specific alloying elements (Si: 0.01-2.00%, Mn: 1.50-3.00%, Al: 0.01-1.00%, Ti: 0.01-0.50%, Cr: 0.01-1.00%) in controlled amounts. This balanced composition achieves both high strength and adequate ductility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure consisting of the base steel with optimized composition and the multi-layer aluminum-silicon coated layer. This composite material system provides both the required strength and formability for automotive applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If aluminum-silicon hot-dip coating is followed by prolonged heat treatment to alloy the plated layer, then ductility is improved, but production efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveductilityVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary alloying during the hot-dip plating process itself by controlling the diffusion of Fe into the Al-Si coated layer at plating bath temperature (580-660°C). The steel sheet is introduced at a controlled temperature (relative temperature difference of 40-100°C) to facilitate appropriate diffusion. This preliminary alloying eliminates the need for prolonged post-plating heat treatment, thereby improving production efficiency while maintaining ductility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides excellent corrosion resistance and processability, preventing corrosion penetration in the thickness direction and maintaining formability, while allowing continuous production without excessive oxide formation.

Implementation Method 1

a surface layer of the base steel is provided with an Al-enriched layer in which 2 wt% to 20 wt% of Al is solid-solubilized

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolid solution: Solid Solution Strengthening

Implementation Method 2

an interface between the base steel and the hot-dip Al-Si-coated layer is provided with an interfacial alloy layer having a double layer structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntermetallic compound formation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

the diffusion amount of Fe in a plated layer is increased, an alloy phase is only formed as an alloy phase having a high Fe content, and the alloying is progressed by heat treatment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP3561141B1Hot dip aluminized steel material having excellent corrosion resistance and workability, and manuracturing method therefor
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 POHANG IRON & STEEL CO LTD
  • EP3561141B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3561141B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed is a hot dip aluminized steel material comprising a base steel and a hot-dip Al-Si-coated layer, wherein the surface layer of the base steel is provided with an Al-enriched layer in which 2 wt% to 20 wt% of Al is solid-solubilized, and an interface between the base steel and the hot-dip Al-Si-coated layer has a double-layer structured interfacial alloy layer having different hardnesses.