Study of the influence of phase composition and iron content on the formability characteristics of zinc-iron electroplated sheet steel

This study focuses on the relationship between coating composition and deformation and friction behavior of zinc-iron electroplated sheet steel. The influence of phase composition and microhardness of the deposits and the electrodeposition process parameters on the mechanical properties of the material were determined. The influence of coating composition on the friction and galling behavior was also investigated. Both V-bend test and cup test were used to evaluate the influence of the iron content on the powdering and flaking behavior of the deposits. Finally, the adhesion of the coating to the substrate was studied by lap shear tests. Although the soft η phase appears to be the main component in zinc-iron coatings with less than 16 wt% Fe, Γ1 particles were observed even at low iron contents. As the iron content in the coating increases, the Γ1 fraction increases and the coating becomes harder and more brittle. Above 16 wt% Fe the deposits start to show substantial powdering and flaking during deformation. At iron contents above 30 wt%, bending of the coated product results in total coating delamination. At low iron contents, zinc-iron electroplated sheet steel exhibits a superior deformation behavior, and both cup tests and flat die tests proved the suitability of the coating for deep drawing.