State-of-the-Knowledge on Coating Systems for Hot Stamped Parts

In the present contribution, recent developments of coatings for hot stamped steels are reviewed. The use of bare steel in the initial hot stamping technology is discussed, including the application of lubricant oils which are used as oxidation inhibitors on bare steel surfaces. The aluminized coatings are introduced, focusing on the microstructure evolution of aluminized coatings during the hot stamping process. An analysis of the cracking of the coating, caused by the formation of brittle FeAl intermetallic phases and their high temperature deformation, is presented. The development of a ductile aluminide coating formed during the diffusion treatment of an aluminized coating is discussed. This aluminide coating can endure both high temperature oxidation and severe plastic deformation. The recently developed galvanized and galvannealed coatings are also reviewed and the influence of the gas atmosphere during the heating cycle on the coating stability is emphasized. The solutions which have been proposed to avoid liquid Zn-induced embrittlement are analyzed. The use of ZnNi alloy coating, which is characterized by a higher melting temperature, is reviewed. The behavior of solgel hybrid coatings on hot stamped steels is discussed. The possible use of the recently developed AlZn alloy coatings, dual layer ZnAl and ZnAlMg coatings is also introduced. The application of ZnAlMg post-process galvanizing is also discussed. In each case, all available information related to the weldability, paintability, and corrosion resistance of the coating systems is also reported. Finally, the advantages and technical challenges associated with each type of coating are reviewed.