Papers by Author: Willem G. Sloof

Abstract: A numerical model is presented to simulate the diffusional transport of oxygen and that of an alloying element, within a 1-D binary Ni alloy, leading to the selective oxidation of the alloying element and the formation of an internal oxide precipitate. This specific model is written in MATLAB and, with the aid of the Matlab Toolbox, is coupled to the ThermoCalc extensive database. A reaction time is introduced to overcome problems related to the difficulty of formation of the internal oxide. Two cases are considered: Al as the alloying element for which the solubility product of the oxide forming elements is small, and Mn for which it is large.

Abstract: Hot-dip galvanized transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steel sheets were recently developed for automotive applications. The microstructure and the adhesion of zinc coated CMnSi TRIP steel alloyed with P were studied. The α-Zn coating adjacent to the steel substrate consists of a continuous η-Fe2Al5-xZnx inhibition layer with columnar ζ-FeZn13 intermetallic particles on top. Along the interface between the inhibition layer and the steel substrate Mn/Mn-P oxides were frequently observed. Although these oxides at the steel surface reduce the adhesion between the zinc coating and the TRIP steel, they do not cause any bare spots during galvanizing. Upon tensile deformation of the galvanized steel sheet, cracking along the α-zinc grain boundaries preceded fracture of the interface between the α-Zn layer and the inhibition layer. After 4 % deformation the average interface crack length increased linearly with the applied strain. This interface fracture was strongly influenced by the crystalline orientation of the α-Zn grains.