Galvannealed Steel Sheet Phase Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Galvannealed steel sheets face challenges with poor press formability due to uneven appearance caused by linear defects in the galvannealed layer, which affects sliding and powdering resistance, and require improved chemical conversion treatability.

Innovation Solution

A galvannealed steel sheet with a Mn-P based oxide film and controlled alloying treatment to achieve a balanced phase structure, reducing the heating rate and forming a Mn-P based oxide film on the surface to enhance sliding and powdering resistance, while maintaining excellent chemical conversion treatability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the steel sheet contains many grain boundary segregation elements (such as P) to increase strength, then the strength of the steel sheet is improved, but interdiffusion of Fe and Zn is locally prevented causing heterogeneous alloying reaction and uneven appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength of steel sheetVSAvoiduniformity of galvannealed layer thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the heating rate during galvannealing treatment. Specifically, it controls the heating rate to be 50-150°C/s to prevent excessive concentration of segregation elements at grain boundaries, thereby maintaining uniform alloying reaction while preserving the strength-enhancing effect of these elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the heating rate is increased to improve productivity, then the production efficiency is improved, but the uniformity of appearance deteriorates due to heterogeneous alloying reaction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoiduniformity of appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent identifies an optimal heating rate range of 50-150°C/s that balances productivity and appearance quality. This parameter optimization allows sufficiently fast production while preventing the heterogeneous alloying reaction that causes uneven appearance, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If Si and Mn are added to strengthen the steel sheet, then the strength is improved, but the wettability of the galvannealed layer is decreased when Si exceeds 0.3 mass%

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength of steel sheetVSAvoidwettability of galvannealed layer
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the Si content to be 0.03-0.30 mass% and Mn content to be 0.15-2.00 mass%. This optimization maintains the strength-enhancing effect of these alloying elements while preventing excessive Si from deteriorating the wettability and quality of the galvannealed layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If the alloying reaction is promoted to improve sliding property, then the sliding property is improved, but the powdering resistance deteriorates due to formation of hard and brittle r phase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesliding propertyVSAvoidpowdering resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the heating rate parameter (50-150°C/s) to control the alloying reaction progression. This controlled heating promotes sufficient alloying for good sliding property while preventing excessive alloying that would form hard and brittle r phase, thus maintaining powdering resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 results in a galvannealed steel sheet with improved uniformity of appearance, enhanced sliding and powdering resistance, and excellent chemical conversion treatability, addressing the issues of uneven appearance and press formability.

Implementation Method 1

alloying reaction is initiated through interdiffusion of Fe in a steel sheet and Zn in a galvanizing layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterdiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

forming a Mn-P based oxide film on the surface to enhance sliding and powdering resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP2395128B1Galvannealed steel sheet and process for production thereof
Publication Date: 2013.06.05 NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORP
  • EP2395128B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2395128B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3(b)
  • EP2395128B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A galvannealed steel sheet includes: a steel sheet; a galvannealed layer; and a Mn-P based oxide film. A Zn-Fe alloy phase in the galvannealed layer is measured by X-ray diffractometry. The value of a diffraction intensity T(2.59 Å) off phase divided by a diffraction intensity δ1(2.13 Å) of δ1 phase is less than or equal to 0.1. The value of a diffraction intensity ζ(1.26 Å) of ζ phase divided by a diffraction intensity δ1(2.13 Å) of δ1 phase is greater than or equal to 0.1 and less than or equal to 0.4. The Mn-P based oxide film is formed using 5 to 100 mg / m2 of Mn and 3 to 500 mg / m2 of P on a surface of the galvannealed layer.