StronSal®, a hot-dip coating for steel products, provides ultimate corrosion protection properties that add up to a high performance coating for all applications where zinc-plated steel is essential.
Friction values are a decisive factor in terms of forming response and therefore determine process reliability in component production. The friction value developing in the single-stage forming processes can be compared to that of a hot-dip galvanized or electrolytic galvanized finish. As opposed to materials with hot-dip galvanized or electrolytic galvanization, cold welding does not develop in multi-stage forming processes.
Apart from laser welding, resistance spot welding still represents one of the primary joining processes employed in body-in-white construction. Both welding methods can be applied as in hot-dip galvanized materials.
Phosphating, as inorganic conversion layer on the metallic surface, is a decisive factor for the subsequent varnishing process. A phosphate layer of appropriate quality facilitates outstanding varnishing results. StronSal® material can be phosphated to suit specific automotive applications. The varnishing response is identical to that on materials with hot-dip galvanized or electrolytic galvanized finish.
StronSal® allows a reduction of the zinc layer thickness while maintaining corrosion protection properties of equivalent quality, i.e. corrosion protection is increased while the zinc layer thickness remains constant. StronSal® represents an alternative to piece galvanizing.
Thin metal sheet finished with StronSal® is produced at galvanization plant 1 and 2 of Salzgitter Flachstahl. The zinc coating is applied to the steel strip in a liquid zinc bath at a temperature of approx. 450 °C. The required layer thickness is set up by means of wiper nozzles.
Using the in-line finishing racks, a Pretex® fine-finish structure is set up to meet high demands made in further processing. A stretch leveler ensures strip levelness, and post treatment in the passivation process improves the anticorrosive properties of the finish for storage and transport.
The material can be passivated without using hexavalent chrome. Prelube can be applied for oiling.