Image processing approach in Zn-Ti-Fe kinetic phase evaluation

Hot-dip galvanizing is one of the most used methods to apply zinc-based coatings on steels, in order to provide sacrificial protection against corrosion over all the steel surface. In the last years new alloying elements on the Zn bath are studied to optimize properties oriented to new market requirements. In this work a new approach is proposed in order to quantify the main morphological properties of an ZnTiFe phase rich in Ti, present only in coatings produced by baths containing Ti. No quantitative studies have been yet carried out on intermetallic phases formation as consequence of Ti addition in the Zn bath. The innovative approach for ZnTi-based coatings has been applied to five different dipping times, thus allowing to evaluate the kinetic of formation. © 2012 Taylor & Francis Group