The master's degree thesis deals with the analysis of the quality management system in a selected organisation. The theoretical part focuses on history and quality management, quality principles and its concept. It describes the quality management system, its implementation and documentation. General standards and standards for hot-dip galvanising are an essential part for an easier orientation in the issues. The practical part describes a company engaged in hot-dip galvanising, the company's goals and the process of hot-dip galvanising. The next part provides a detailed description of the technological process concerning hot-dip galvanising to illustrate practically the quality management system. In order to follow the production process, one contract was selected and was closely observed during every step of the whole process of hot-dip galvanising. The last part of the chapter includes data analysis of the quality management system as well as a description of the Pareto analysis, which represents the only instrument of quality management in the organisation. The conclusion provides some improvement suggestions which should be applied by the company to enhance the quality management system and at the same time to prevent possible complications.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-18T21:36:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 4 Danieli Cristina Pedroso1.pdf: 893786 bytes, checksum: 0b49df9c67021da69e5f47f5170c5703 (MD5) Danieli Cristina Pedroso2.pdf: 3031650 bytes, checksum: bbf4b2dc04de906b1c5596adb5c76bb8 (MD5) Danieli Cristina Pedroso3.pdf: 2597659 bytes, checksum: 1a3e7d52a670d6eb3f003b1583e76702 (MD5) Danieli Cristina Pedroso4.pdf: 198943 bytes, checksum: 16b69ef67e7c298a9fc35b695825e236 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-08-17 / In this work the causes of rejection of lots of artifacts from the company Produto para Linhas Preformados, PLP, were analyzed which are made of steel SAE 1010 and SAE 1020 and zinc coated by hot-dip galvanizing. Lots of samples from different manufacturers were selected, with different chemical composition and geometry, but belonging to rejected lots and approved lots in accordance with usual market standards. The rejections are due to problems related to the adhesion of the layer of zinc. The samples were submitted to optical microscopy test, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractions for comparative checking of between the structures of zinc formed layers by hot -dip galvanizing. To verify the corrosion in coating failure, corrosion tests were performed in three different environments: urban environment considered to be low-polluted; environment simulating sea water, salt spray. There is no failure evidence between the zinc coating and the substrate structure; irregular coatings and not very well defined phases were found in the rejected parts. In regions with failures, the results show a behavior similar to the literature with the rapid formation of rust at the beginning of the exposure followed by a show oxidation. / Neste trabalho foram analisadas as causas da rejeição de lotes de artefatos da empresa Produto para Linhas Preformados, PLP, fabricados com aços SAE 1010 e SAE 1020 e zincados por imersão a quente. Foram selecionadas amostras de lotes de fabricantes diferentes, com composição química e geometrias distintas, pertencentes a lotes rejeitados e a lotes aprovados de acordo com normas usuais de mercado. As rejeições se devem a problemas relacionados a aderência da camada de zinco. As amostras foram submetidas a exames por microscopia óptica, microscopia de varredura e análises por difração de raio-X para verificação comparativa entre as estruturas das camadas de zinco formadas no processo zincagem por imersão a quente. Para verificar a corrosão nas falhas de revestimento de zinco, foram realizados ensaios de corrosão em três ambientes diferentes: ambiente considerado urbano de baixa poluição; ambiente simulando água do mar; câmara de névoa salina. Não há indício de relação entre a falha nos revestimentos de zinco e a estrutura do substrato; revestimentos irregulares e com fases não muito bem definidas foram encontrados nas peças rejeitadas. Nas regiões com falha, os resultados evidenciam um comportamento semelhante ao da literatura, com formação rápida de ferrugem no início da exposição das peças seguida por uma oxidação lenta.

Aluminium is usually added to the continuous hot-dip galvanizing bath to improve coating ductility and adhesion through the rapid formation of a thin Fe-Al intermetallic layer at the substrate-liquid interface, thereby inhibiting the formation of brittle Fe-Zn intermetallic compounds. On the other hand, Mn is essential for obtaining the desired microstructure and mechanical properties in advanced high strength steels, but is selectively oxidized in conventional continuous galvanizing line annealing atmospheres. This can deteriorate reactive wetting by the liquid Zn(Al,Fe) alloy during galvanizing and prevent the formation of a well developed Fe-Al interfacial layer at the coating/substrate interface, resulting in poor zinc coating adherence and formability. However, despite Mn selective oxidation and the presence of surface MnO, complete reactive wetting and a well developed Fe-Al interfacial layer have been observed for Mn-containing steels. These observations have been attributed to the aluminothermic reduction of surface MnO in the galvanizing bath. According to this reaction, MnO is reduced by the bath dissolved Al, so the bath can have contact with the substrate and form the desired interfacial layer. Heat treatments compatible with continuous hot-dip galvanizing were performed on four different Mn-containing steels whose compositions contained 0.2-3.0 wt% Mn. It was determined that substrate Mn selectively oxidized to MnO for all alloys and process atmospheres. Little Mn surface segregation was observed for the 0.2Mn steel, as would be expected because of its relatively low Mn content, whereas the 1.4Mn through 3.0Mn steels showed considerable Mn-oxide surface enrichment. In addition, the proportion of the substrate surface covered with MnO and its thickness increased with increasing steel Mn content.A galvanizing simulator equipped with a He jet spot cooler was used to arrest the reaction between the substrate and liquid zinc coating to obtain well-characterized reaction times characteristic of the timescales encountered while the strip is resident in the industrial continuous galvanizing bath and short times after in which the Zn-alloy layer continues to be liquid (i.e. before coating solidification). Two different bath dissolved Al contents (0.20 and 0.30 wt%) were chosen for this study. The 0.20 wt% Al bath was chosen as it is widely used in industrial continuous galvanizing lines. The 0.30 wt% Al bath was chosen to (partially) compensate for any dissolved Al consumption arising from MnO reduction in the galvanizing bath.The Al uptake increased with increasing reaction time following non-parabolic growth kinetics for all experimental steels and dissolved Al baths. For the 0.20 wt% dissolved Al bath, the interfacial layer on the 1.4Mn steel showed the highest Al uptake, with the 0.2Mn, 2.5Mn and 3.0Mn substrates showing significantly lower Al uptake. However, increasing the dissolved bath Al to 0.30 wt% Al resulted in a significantly increased Al uptake being observed for the 2.5Mn and 3.0Mn steels for all reaction times. These observations were explained by the combined effects of the open microstructures associated with the multi-phase nature of an oxide-containing interfacial layer and additional Al consumption through MnO reduction. For instance, in the case of the 1.4Mn steel, the more open interfacial layer structure accelerated Fe diffusion through the interfacial layer and increased Al uptake versus the 0.2Mn substrate for the same bath Al. However, in the case of the 2.5Mn and 3.0Mn substrates and 0.20 wt% Al bath, additional Al consumption through MnO reduction caused the interfacial layer growth to become Al limited, whereas the very open structure dominated growth in the case of the 0.30 wt% Al bath and resulted in the changing the growth kinetics from mixed diffusion-controlled to a more interface controlled growth mode. A kinetic model based on oxide film growth (Smeltzer et al. 1961, Perrow et al. 1968) was developed to describe the Fe-Al interfacial layer growth kinetics within the context of the microstructural evolution of the Fe-Al interfacial layer for Mn-containing steels reacted in 0.20 wt% and 0.30 wt% dissolved Al baths. It indicated that the interfacial layer microstructure development and the presence of MnO at the interfacial layer had significant influence on the effective diffusion coefficient and interfacial layer growth rate. However, in the cases of the 2.5Mn and 3.0Mn steels in 0.20 wt% Al bath, the kinetic model could not predict the interfacial layer Al uptake, since the Fe-Al growth was Al limited. In fact, in these cases, additional Al was consumed for reducing their thicker surface MnO layer, resulted in limiting the dissolved Al available for Fe-Al growth. / Dissertation / Doctor of Science (PhD)

Medium Mn (med-Mn) third generation advanced high strength steels (3G AHSSs) are promising candidates for meeting automotive weight reduction requirements without compromising passenger safety. However, the thermal processing of these steels should be compatible with continuous galvanizing line (CGL) processing capabilities as it provides cost-effective, robust corrosion protection for autobody parts. Hence, the main objective of this Ph.D. research is to develop a CGL-compatible thermal processing route for a prototype 0.2C-6Mn-1.5Si-0.5Al-0.5Cr-xSn (wt%) (x = 0 and 0.05 wt%) med-Mn steel that will result in the 3G AHSS target mechanical properties (24,000 MPa%  UTS × TE  40,000 MPa%) and high-quality galvanized coatings via enhanced reactive wetting. It was found that the starting microstructure, intercritical annealing (IA) time/temperature, and Sn micro-alloying had a significant effect on the retained austenite volume fraction and stability and, thereby, the mechanical properties of the prototype med-Mn steel. For the as-received cold-rolled (CR) starting microstructure, the intercritical austenite nucleated and grew on dissolving carbide particles and resulted in blocky retained austenite. However, Sn micro-alloying significantly effected the intercritical austenite chemical stability by segregating to the carbide/matrix interface and retarding C partitioning to the intercritical austenite. This resulted in lower volume fractions of low stability retained austenite which transformed to martensite (via the TRIP effect) at low strains, thereby quickly exhausting the TRIP effect and resulting in a failure to sustain high work hardening rates and delay the onset of necking. Consequently, the Sn micro-alloyed CR starting microstructure was unsuccessful in achieving 3G AHSS target mechanical properties regardless of the IA parameters employed. Contrastingly, the CR starting microstructure without Sn micro-alloying was able to meet target 3G mechanical properties via intercritical annealing at 675 °C × 60 s and 120 s, and at 690 °C × 60 s owing to sufficiently rapid carbide dissolution and C/Mn partitioning into the intercritical austenite such that it had sufficient mechanical and chemical stability to sustain a gradual deformation-induced transformation to martensite and maintain high work hardening rates. On the other hand, the martensitic (M) starting microstructure produced higher volume fractions of chemically and mechanically stable lamellar retained austenite regardless of Sn micro-alloying. Intercritical annealing at 650 °C × 60 s and 675 °C × 60 s and 120 s produced 3G AHSS target mechanical properties. It was shown that the stable lamellar retained austenite transformed gradually during deformation. Furthermore, deformation-induced nano-twin formation in the retained austenite was observed, suggesting the TWIP effect being operational alongside the TRIP effect. As a result, a continuous supply of obstacles to dislocation motion was maintained during deformation, which aided in sustaining a high work hardening rate and resulted in a high strength/ductility balance, meeting 3G AHSS target properties. Based on these results, the martensitic starting microstructure without Sn micro-alloying and the M-675 °C × 120 s IA condition were chosen for the selective oxidation and reactive wetting studies. The selective oxidation study determined the effect of a N2-5H2-xH2O (vol%) process atmosphere pO2 (–30, –10, and +5 °C dew point (Tdp)) on the composition, morphology, and spatial distribution of the external and internal oxides formed during the austenitizing and subsequent intercritical annealing cycles. The objective of this study was to identify the process atmosphere for the promising M-675 °C × 120 s heat treatment that would result in a pre-immersion surface that could be successfully galvanized in a conventional galvanizing (GI) bath. The austenitizing heat treatment (775 °C × 600 s) used to produce the martensitic starting microstructure resulted in thick (~ 200 nm) external oxides comprising MnO, MnAl2O4, MnSiO3/Mn2SiO4, and MnCr2O4, regardless of the process atmosphere pO2. However, intermediate flash pickling was successful in dissolving the external oxides to a thickness of approximately 30 nm along with exposing metallic Fe in areas which contained relatively thin external oxides. Furthermore, extruded Fe nodules that were trapped under the external oxides were revealed during the flash pickling process. Overall, flash pickling resulted in a surface consisting of dispersed external oxide particles with exposed metallic substrate and extruded Fe nodules. This external surface remained unchanged during IA owing to the multi-micron (~ 2–8 µm) solute-depleted layer that formed during the austenitizing heat treatment. Subsequent galvanizing in a 0.2 wt% (dissolved) Al GI bath with an immersion time of 4 s at 460 °C was successful in achieving high-quality, adherent galvanized coatings through multiple reactive wetting mechanisms. The dispersed nodule-type external oxides along with exposed substrate and extruded Fe nodules on the pre-immersion surface facilitated direct wetting of the steel substrate and promoted the formation of a robust and continuous Fe2Al5Znx interfacial layer at the steel/coating interface. Additionally, oxide lift-off, oxide wetting, bath metal ingress, and aluminothermic reduction were operational during galvanizing. The galvanized med-Mn steels met 3G AHSS target mechanical properties. Overall, this Ph.D. research showed that it is possible to employ a CGL-compatible thermal processing route for med-Mn steels to successfully produce 3G AHSS target mechanical properties as well as robust galvanized coatings. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / One of the largest challenges associated with incorporating the next generation of advanced high strength steels into the automotive industry lies in processing these steels in existing industrial production lines. In that regard, a two-stage heat treatment with an intermediate flash pickling stage and process atmosphere compatible with existing industrial continuous galvanizing line technology was developed for a prototype medium-Mn steel. The heat-treated prototype steel met the target mechanical properties outlined for the next generation of advanced high strength steels. Furthermore, the heat treatment and process atmosphere utilised in this research produced a surface that facilitated the successful galvanizing of the prototype medium-Mn steel. This adherent and high-quality galvanized coating will provide robust corrosion protection if the candidate medium-Mn steel is used in future automotive structural applications.

O processo industrial não-contínuo de zincagem por imersão a quente (ZIQ) pode ocasionar a contaminação superficial do aço-carbono zincado por imersão a quente (AZIQ) com resíduos de cloreto. Estes resíduos, se não forem efetivamente eliminados, podem influenciar negativamente no desempenho dos esquemas de pintura dos sistemas dúplex (zincagem mais pintura). Sabe-se que no processo de ZIQ, a cromatização é amplamente utilizada, entretanto, o efeito que este pós-tratamento exerce no desempenho dos esquemas de pintura ainda não é bem estabelecido. Neste contexto, este trabalho teve como objetivos: I - verificar o grau de contaminação no AZIQ com sal de cloreto devido ao próprio processo de ZIQ; II - verificar os efeitos da contaminação com sal de cloreto e da cromatização do processo ZIQ no desempenho de tintas aplicadas sobre o AZIQ; e III – determinar pré-tratamentos para pintura adequados para o bom desempenho das tintas aplicadas sobre o AZIQ. A metodologia adotada para alcançar o objetivo I envolveu a zincagem de chapas de aço-carbono em diferentes prestadores de serviço de ZIQ, em diferentes condições. Estas chapas zincadas foram analisadas por microanálise química qualitativa por espectrometria de dispersão de energia (EDS) em microscópio eletrônico de varredura (MEV) e pela determinação dos teores de cloreto superficiais, por método de extração com água em ebulição. A partir dos resultados obtidos para se alcançar o objetivo I, foi possível definir as condições no processo de ZIQ que potencialmente causam maior contaminação da superfície do AZIQ com sal de cloreto. Assim, para se alcançar os objetivos II e III, chapas de aço-carbono foram zincadas naquelas condições de máxima contaminação com sal de cloreto e parte delas foi submetida ao pós-tratamento de cromatização. Em seguida, uma grande parte destas chapas zincadas (cromatizadas ou não) foi submetida aos pré-tratamentos para pintura de desengraxe com solvente orgânico, de hidrojateamento a alta pressão, de jateamento abrasivo ligeiro e de ação mecânica com esponja abrasiva e água quente. Finalmente, as chapas zincadas, incluindo as não submetidas aos pré-tratamentos, foram pintadas com uma demão de tinta de aderência mais uma demão de tinta de acabamento. As chapas zincadas e pintadas foram submetidas a ensaios acelerados (imersão em água destilada e exposição em câmara de umidade saturada) e não-acelerados de corrosão (exposição em estação de corrosão atmosférica) e avaliadas por meio dos ensaios tradicionais de acompanhamento de desempenho (grau de empolamento e ensaios de aderência de tinta) e eletroquímicos (medida de potencial de circuito aberto, curva de polarização e espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica – E.I.E.). Algumas chapas zincadas, antes da pintura, foram submetidas aos ensaios de caracterização física (exame microestrutural e morfológico em MEV e rugosidade superficial), química microanálise por EDS, difração de raios X e teor de cloreto superficial pelo método de extração com água em ebulição) e eletroquímica. Os resultados obtidos, neste estudo, permitiram verificar que a aplicação adicional de sal cloreto de amônio sólido durante o processo de ZIQ tende a aumentar o grau de contaminação superficial do AZIQ com cloreto e, as etapas de resfriamento e/ou de cromatização do processo também contribuem para esta contaminação. No geral, o desempenho do AZIQ cromatizado teve desempenho inferior em relação ao não-cromatizados. O hidrojateamento a alta pressão e a lavagem com água e ação mecânica foram os prétratamentos que proporcionaram os melhores desempenhos dos esquemas de pintura. / The batch galvanizing process (BGP) can lead to surface contamination of hot-dip galvanized steel (HDGS) with chloride residues. If these residues are not effectively eliminated, they can influence negatively on the performance of duplex systems (galvanizing plus painting). It is known that the chromate quenching is widely used in the BGP, however the effect of this post-treatment on the performance of duplex systems is not well established yet. In this sense, this work aimed: I – to verify the contamination degree of HDGS with chloride salt due to the BGP itself; II – to verify the effects of the chloride salt contamination and chromate quenching on the performance of paints applied on HDGS; and III – to determine the suitable surface preparation for painting in order for obtaining a good paint performance applied on HDGS. The adopted methodology to achieve goal I involved the galvanizing of steel plates in different service renderings with BGP, in different conditions. These HDGS plates were submitted to the qualitative energy dispersive microanalyses (EDS) in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and to the determination of superficial chloride contents by the boiling water extraction method. From the obtained results, the conditions in the BGP that potentially lead to greater surface contamination of HDGS with chloride salt were determined. Thus, to achieve goals II and III, steel plates were galvanized under the maximum chloride salt contamination condition and part of them were submitted to chromate quenching. After that, a great part of these HDGS plates (chromated or non chromated quenching) was submitted to the surface preparations for painting through organic solvent cleaning, high pressure hydroblasting, sweep blasting and handled scrub cleaning with an abrasive sponge and hot distilled water. Finally, the HDGS plates, including those not submitted to the surface preparations for painting, were painted with one coat of primer plus one coat of finishing paint. The HDGS painted plates were submitted to accelerated (distilled water immersion and humidity chamber exposure) and non accelerated (atmospheric exposure) corrosion tests and their performance were verified by means of traditional tests (degree of blistering and paint adhesion) and electrochemical measurements (open circuit potential, polarization curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy – E.I.S.). Before painting, some HDGS plates were submitted to tests for physical (microstructural and morphological analyses in MEV and surface roughness), chemical (EDS, X-ray diffraction and superficial chloride contents by the boiling water extraction method) and electrochemical characterization. The obtained results allowed verifying that the additional application of solid ammonium chloride salt during the BGP tends to increase the degree of superficial chloride contamination of the HDGS and, the water and/or chromate quenching also contribute for this contamination. In general, the chromated HDGS presented worst performances. The high pressure hydroblasting and the handled scrub cleaning with an abrasive sponge and hot distilled water were the surface preparations for painting that provided the best performances of paint systems.

Among global steel markets in recent years, China steel industry expands the fastest with the largest capacity and most fiercest competitions, also bringing the greatest impacts to global and Taiwan steel markets. A few aggressive Taiwan mills have set up their production facilities in China and commissioned. This study conducts in-depth analysis on the leading Taiwan middlestream galvanizers & coil coaters (the products are hot-dip galvanized & pre-painted steel sheets, hereinafter called ¡§galvanized & pre-painted steel¡¨). Besides, the steel works are categorized into Taiwan works, China works-Taiwan capital, China works-foreign capital, and China local works based on different capital sources. Analysis and evaluation are done in light of every activity in value chain. Six types of galvanizers & coil coaters are categorized based on different facilities and processes. Type I: Integrated galvanizers & coil coaters Type II: CSP galvanizers & coil coaters Type III: Independent galvanizers Type IV: Independent coil coaters Type V: Independent galvanizers & coil coaters Type VI: Independent full-process galvanizers & coil coaters Owing to their different market environments, development backgrounds, technologies, human resources and management, this study will analyze their strengths, strategies adopted, possible future development trends and potential challenges. This study especially focuses on one issue: in the atmosphere of competition and cooperation between steel mills in Taiwan and China, how China independent galvanizers & coil coaters-Taiwan capital and Taiwan parent company upgrade their competitiveness is crucial. Synthesizing related literature & theories, market & mill information and interviews, verifying by comparison, four conclusions are obtained as follows. 1. The more value chain activities a mill has, the more profits and stronger competitiveness it acquires. 2. Taiwan markets of galvanizing & pre-painted steel are already saturated. The competitiveness & development strategy a globalization enterprise should adopt is to increase its export percentages and establish offshore production bases. 3. For those mills setting up independent galvanizers & coil coaters in both China and Taiwan, the marketing strategies they should employ are described as follows. 3.1 Both China and Taiwan works receive orders and manufacture for their domestic markets. In terms of exports, only Taiwan parent company receives orders for both. But they export through Taiwan¡¦s existing channels globally. 3.2 To ally with different downstream industries and benefit each other. 3.3 China products are exported to ASEAN 10 nations, or 10+3, or 10+4, or any country that hasn¡¦t accuse China mills of dumping, whereas Taiwan products are sold to China, or any country that hasn¡¦t accuse Taiwan mills of dumping. 3.4 Products should be differentiated. Order receiving, production planning, lead-time and customer service should be flexible and elastic. 3.5 The chosen customers and suppliers must be big and strong in their region. Thus, the overall enterprise competitiveness is excellent. 4. In the past, steel companies self-expand to grow whereas today they grow via merger and acquisition. Any enterprise must have its value-creation strategy, i.e. it must have a growth strategy to react to the fierce market competitions. This study provides six recommendations for the competitiveness & growth strategies which could be adopted by domestic Taiwan independent galvanizers & coil coaters. 1. For the investors who invest in independent galvanizers & coil coaters for the first time, the first choice should be Type VI: independent full-process galvanizers & coil coaters. The second choice should be Type V: Independent galvanizers & coil coaters. Next, to set up an independent galvanizer is superior to an independent coil coater. 2. Independent Galvanizers & Coil Coaters should adopt the growth strategy that horizontal developing to a certain scale at the outset is the priority. Next, they should develop toward upstream instead of downstream. In order to eliminate capacity, they should ally with different downstream industries. 3. In the market of demand exceeding supply, mills usually self-expand to achieve larger scale. Nevertheless, when the market is oversupplied, it is recommended to adopt acquisitions. 4. Independent galvanizers & coil coaters choose the most beneficial investment items & scale and start their oversea development based on their growth strategies. 5. In the initial phase of plant construction, independent galvanizers & coil coaters should negotiate with upstream raw material suppliers regarding raw material supply matters. A good relationship should be built in order to secure stability of raw material sources. 6. To manage China mills-Taiwan capital and compete with other mills, the following measures are recommended. 6.1 To take advantage of the enterprise strength, develop specialized products and promote marketing features. 6.2 To promptly establish market reaction mechanism via the internationalization strategy of ¡§Integration-Responsiveness¡¨. 6.3 To employ human resources management to aid internationalization strategy. 6.4 Integration model created by overseas plant construction or acquisition can be adopted to integrate an enterprise¡¦s organization, culture and resources via dynamics management system.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-08T17:19:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 elementos pre-textuaus.pdf: 86552 bytes, checksum: b4f9afc7367b0456da6227d06b49d099 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-06-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Blackeart malleable iron samples were galvanized using twenty different zinc bath compositions. Each bath was made with different concentration and combinations of bismuth, nickel, tin and aluminium. These additions aim not only to substitute lead, a hazardous element to the environment, but also to reduce coating thickness, usually higher than established by standards due to the great reactivity between cast iron and zinc bath. Additional studies were made to check the corrosion resistance and to check the maintenance or intensity of the coating s brightness. When using just bismuth and nickel additions to the zinc bath, it wasn t observed a considerable coating thickness reduction, but bismuth influenced bath fluidity, favoring better zinc draining and formation of more compacted and defined zinc-iron compounds. It was observed that bismuth decreased the coating s corrosion resistance, while nickel can increase the corrosion resistance when the bath has small bismuth concentrations. Tin addictions reduced the coating thickness when used together with bismuth and nickel addictions. However, tin did not only reduce the corrosion resistance, but also decreased the coating s brightness. Highest aluminium concentrations reduced the coating s thickness considerably when compared to the coating s thickness of the samples galvanized in the other baths. Aluminium also increased corrosion resistance when compared to the coatings of the samples galvanized in baths containing bismuth, nickel and tin. However excessive coating thickness reduction, caused by highest aluminium addictions to the bath, reduced corrosion resistance. Highest aluminium addictions were totally favorable to the coating s brightness. The combination of bismuth, nickel, tin and aluminium were effective on coating thickness reduction and some of these combinations also provided greater rust resistance and shinier coatings. Hence, the chemical elements added weren t detrimental to the environment and they are good alternatives to substitute lead in the hot-dip galvanizing process. / Amostras de ferro fundido maleável preto foram galvanizadas em vinte diferentes banhos de zinco, cada qual composto por concentrações e combinações variadas de bismuto, níquel, estanho e alumínio. Além de substituir o chumbo, um elemento tóxico e nocivo ao meio ambiente, objetiva-se com estas adições a redução da espessura do revestimento galvanizado, normalmente em excesso ao estabelecido em norma devido à grande reatividade dos ferros fundidos com o banho de zinco. Estudos adicionais foram realizados para a verificação da resistência à corrosão e para a verificação da manutenção ou intensificação do brilho dos revestimentos. Utilizando adições somente de bismuto e níquel ao banho de zinco não foi observada uma redução considerável da espessura do revestimento, mas o bismuto influenciou na fluidez do banho favorecendo o melhor escorrimento do zinco e a formação de fases zinco-ferro mais compactas e definidas. Observou-se que o bismuto diminuiu a resistência à corrosão dos revestimentos, mas o níquel pode aumentar a resistência à corrosão quando se têm adições menores de bismuto ao banho. Adições de estanho reduziram a espessura de camada quando utilizadas em conjunto com adições de bismuto e níquel, mas o estanho foi prejudicial à resistência à corrosão além de diminuir o brilho dos revestimentos. O alumínio em concentrações mais elevadas tornou as espessuras dos revestimentos consideravelmente menores quando comparadas às espessuras dos revestimentos galvanizados nos outros banhos estudados. O alumínio ainda aumentou a resistência à corrosão dos revestimentos em relação aos revestimentos galvanizados nos banhos contendo bismuto, níquel e estanho. Contudo a redução excessiva da espessura da camada, proporcionada por adições maiores de alumínio, fez com que a resistência à corrosão diminuísse novamente. Adições de maiores teores de alumínio foram totalmente favoráveis ao aumento do brilho dos revestimentos. A combinação de elementos químicos como o bismuto, níquel, estanho e alumínio mostrou-se efetiva na redução da espessura de camada, sendo que algumas destas combinações também proporcionaram maiores valores de resistência à corrosão e revestimentos com brilhos mais intensos. Além disso, os elementos químicos adicionados não são nocivos ao meio ambiente, sendo boas alternativas para substituir o chumbo na galvanização por imersão a quente. Palavras-chave: galvanização por imersão a quente, espessura de camada, resistência à corrosão, compostos intermetálicos zinco-ferro.

O processo industrial não-contínuo de zincagem por imersão a quente (ZIQ) pode ocasionar a contaminação superficial do aço-carbono zincado por imersão a quente (AZIQ) com resíduos de cloreto. Estes resíduos, se não forem efetivamente eliminados, podem influenciar negativamente no desempenho dos esquemas de pintura dos sistemas dúplex (zincagem mais pintura). Sabe-se que no processo de ZIQ, a cromatização é amplamente utilizada, entretanto, o efeito que este pós-tratamento exerce no desempenho dos esquemas de pintura ainda não é bem estabelecido. Neste contexto, este trabalho teve como objetivos: I - verificar o grau de contaminação no AZIQ com sal de cloreto devido ao próprio processo de ZIQ; II - verificar os efeitos da contaminação com sal de cloreto e da cromatização do processo ZIQ no desempenho de tintas aplicadas sobre o AZIQ; e III – determinar pré-tratamentos para pintura adequados para o bom desempenho das tintas aplicadas sobre o AZIQ. A metodologia adotada para alcançar o objetivo I envolveu a zincagem de chapas de aço-carbono em diferentes prestadores de serviço de ZIQ, em diferentes condições. Estas chapas zincadas foram analisadas por microanálise química qualitativa por espectrometria de dispersão de energia (EDS) em microscópio eletrônico de varredura (MEV) e pela determinação dos teores de cloreto superficiais, por método de extração com água em ebulição. A partir dos resultados obtidos para se alcançar o objetivo I, foi possível definir as condições no processo de ZIQ que potencialmente causam maior contaminação da superfície do AZIQ com sal de cloreto. Assim, para se alcançar os objetivos II e III, chapas de aço-carbono foram zincadas naquelas condições de máxima contaminação com sal de cloreto e parte delas foi submetida ao pós-tratamento de cromatização. Em seguida, uma grande parte destas chapas zincadas (cromatizadas ou não) foi submetida aos pré-tratamentos para pintura de desengraxe com solvente orgânico, de hidrojateamento a alta pressão, de jateamento abrasivo ligeiro e de ação mecânica com esponja abrasiva e água quente. Finalmente, as chapas zincadas, incluindo as não submetidas aos pré-tratamentos, foram pintadas com uma demão de tinta de aderência mais uma demão de tinta de acabamento. As chapas zincadas e pintadas foram submetidas a ensaios acelerados (imersão em água destilada e exposição em câmara de umidade saturada) e não-acelerados de corrosão (exposição em estação de corrosão atmosférica) e avaliadas por meio dos ensaios tradicionais de acompanhamento de desempenho (grau de empolamento e ensaios de aderência de tinta) e eletroquímicos (medida de potencial de circuito aberto, curva de polarização e espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica – E.I.E.). Algumas chapas zincadas, antes da pintura, foram submetidas aos ensaios de caracterização física (exame microestrutural e morfológico em MEV e rugosidade superficial), química microanálise por EDS, difração de raios X e teor de cloreto superficial pelo método de extração com água em ebulição) e eletroquímica. Os resultados obtidos, neste estudo, permitiram verificar que a aplicação adicional de sal cloreto de amônio sólido durante o processo de ZIQ tende a aumentar o grau de contaminação superficial do AZIQ com cloreto e, as etapas de resfriamento e/ou de cromatização do processo também contribuem para esta contaminação. No geral, o desempenho do AZIQ cromatizado teve desempenho inferior em relação ao não-cromatizados. O hidrojateamento a alta pressão e a lavagem com água e ação mecânica foram os prétratamentos que proporcionaram os melhores desempenhos dos esquemas de pintura. / The batch galvanizing process (BGP) can lead to surface contamination of hot-dip galvanized steel (HDGS) with chloride residues. If these residues are not effectively eliminated, they can influence negatively on the performance of duplex systems (galvanizing plus painting). It is known that the chromate quenching is widely used in the BGP, however the effect of this post-treatment on the performance of duplex systems is not well established yet. In this sense, this work aimed: I – to verify the contamination degree of HDGS with chloride salt due to the BGP itself; II – to verify the effects of the chloride salt contamination and chromate quenching on the performance of paints applied on HDGS; and III – to determine the suitable surface preparation for painting in order for obtaining a good paint performance applied on HDGS. The adopted methodology to achieve goal I involved the galvanizing of steel plates in different service renderings with BGP, in different conditions. These HDGS plates were submitted to the qualitative energy dispersive microanalyses (EDS) in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and to the determination of superficial chloride contents by the boiling water extraction method. From the obtained results, the conditions in the BGP that potentially lead to greater surface contamination of HDGS with chloride salt were determined. Thus, to achieve goals II and III, steel plates were galvanized under the maximum chloride salt contamination condition and part of them were submitted to chromate quenching. After that, a great part of these HDGS plates (chromated or non chromated quenching) was submitted to the surface preparations for painting through organic solvent cleaning, high pressure hydroblasting, sweep blasting and handled scrub cleaning with an abrasive sponge and hot distilled water. Finally, the HDGS plates, including those not submitted to the surface preparations for painting, were painted with one coat of primer plus one coat of finishing paint. The HDGS painted plates were submitted to accelerated (distilled water immersion and humidity chamber exposure) and non accelerated (atmospheric exposure) corrosion tests and their performance were verified by means of traditional tests (degree of blistering and paint adhesion) and electrochemical measurements (open circuit potential, polarization curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy – E.I.S.). Before painting, some HDGS plates were submitted to tests for physical (microstructural and morphological analyses in MEV and surface roughness), chemical (EDS, X-ray diffraction and superficial chloride contents by the boiling water extraction method) and electrochemical characterization. The obtained results allowed verifying that the additional application of solid ammonium chloride salt during the BGP tends to increase the degree of superficial chloride contamination of the HDGS and, the water and/or chromate quenching also contribute for this contamination. In general, the chromated HDGS presented worst performances. The high pressure hydroblasting and the handled scrub cleaning with an abrasive sponge and hot distilled water were the surface preparations for painting that provided the best performances of paint systems.

This thesis focuses on economic situation assessment of a company active in the field of manufacturing industry. The assessment is done using elementary methods of financial analysis. Based on the results, measures are suggested to improve the financial situation of the company. An analysis of general and field-specific surrounding of the assessed organization is also included in the thesis.

Recently, Zn-XAl-YMg coatings have emerged as lighter-weight substitutes for traditional Zn-based coatings for the corrosion protection of steels; however, little is currently known concerning the interactions between the oxides present on advanced high strength steel (AHSS) surfaces and the Zn-Al-Mg bath. In the current contri- bution, the selective oxidation and reactive wetting of a series of C-Mn AHSS were determined with the objective of providing a quantitative description of this pro- cess. The process atmosphere pO2 was varied using dew points of −50◦C, −30◦C and −5◦C. The surface oxide chemistry and morphology were analysed by means of SEM and XPS techniques. Reactive wetting of the selectively oxidized surfaces using a Zn-1.6 wt.% Al-1.6 wt.% Mg bath was monitored as a function of annealing time at 60 s, 100 s and 140 s at 800◦C. The resulting bare spot defects in the Zn-1.6 wt.% Al-1.6 wt.% Mg coating were assessed by means of SAM-AES and FIB, while coating adhesion was analysed by 180◦ bend tests. Annealing the steel substrates resulted in the formation of surface MnO, which varied based on pO2 and Mn alloy content, and that this MnO greatly reduced the wettability of the steel by the Zn-1.6 wt.% Al- 1.6 wt.% Mg bath, resulting in bare spot defects. It was determined that the reactive wetting of the steel substrate was dependant on the oxide morphology and oxidation mode, which was a function of both alloying content of Mn in the steel and annealing pO2 process atmosphere (dew point). Finally, it was concluded that the bare spot area percentage on the coated panels was statistically invariant for annealing times of between 60 s and 140 s at 800◦C. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc) / Metallic coatings are applied to steels that are not naturally corrosion resistant. The aim of this research was to determine how well a coating containing zinc, aluminum and magnesium adhered to high strength automotive steel. It was deter- mined that manganese oxides formed on the steel during heating prior to applying the metallic coating. The manganese oxides prevented good adhesion between the steel and the coating, resulting in bare spot defects in the coating. The bare spot defects are undesirable as they leave the steel exposed and therefore susceptible to corrosion and are unsightly when painted.