Development of Continuous Zinc Vapor Deposition Process on Steel Strips

Abstract

A new coating process in which zinc vapor is continuously deposited on steel strips in a vacuum has been developed through laboratory studies and pilot plant tests with maximum line speed 30 m/min. and maximum strip width 300 mm. The process has shown high productivity due to the high evaporation rate for plating from thin to thick coating. The method of instantaneous change of coating weight and the continuous operation have been achieved. The quality of the product made by this pilot plant is almost as good as electroplated one on coating adhesion and corrosion resistance.