Chromate alternatives in zinc galvanized steel surface treatment

Abstract

Surface treatment of zinc galvanized steel is carried out usually using chromate based baths. These baths are used for improvement of the corrosion resistance and enhancement of the chemical adhesion of organic coatings. Anticorrosive effects of the chromium conversion coatings were not completely exceeded yet by another kind of passivation. Toxicity of CrVI is a basic problem of chromate conversion coats. This paper presents the main results and conclusions of experimental study on zinc conversion layers based on vanadates, using a good CrVI bath as reference. Anticorrosive mechanisms were compared by the corrosion tests in saline cabinet. Inhibition effects were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, by X-ray dispersive spectrometry (EDS) associated X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy.

Keywords

• zinc galvanized steel
• chromate free alternative passivation baths
• salt spray
• EDS
• XRD
• XPS