Material characterization of multi-layered Zn-alloy coatings on fasteners : Effects on corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity and friction
Abstract: Electroplated zinc-alloy coatings have been used on fasteners in the automotive industry for many years. The coating often consists of three layers: a zinc-alloy layer, a passivation layer and a sealer or top-coat. The coating layers affect the functional properties of the fastener (mainly the corrosion resistance, friction coefficient and electrical conductivity), and the aim of this thesis has been to increase the understanding of how these functional properties are affected by the properties of the coating. The corrosion resistance, friction coefficient and electrical conductivity of several different fasteners have been tested. Variations in these properties are connected with morphological and chemical properties of the electro-deposited zinc-alloy coating, passivation layer and sealer/top-coat of the fasteners. Measurement methods include scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), light optical microscope (LOM), x-ray fluorescence (XRF), glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GD-OES), broad ion beam (BIB) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). From the results it can be concluded that the surface structure of zinc-nickel layers differs significantly from supplier to supplier. Screws with a thicker and rougher zinc-nickel surface structure displays higher friction values, but lower electrical resistance values. Optimisation of both of these properties is thus challenging. The distribution and surface structure of the outmost top-coat layer also differs between suppliers, but no connection between this and the functional properties of the screw has been found. The corners of the screw heads are often lacking a proper zinc-alloy coating, and this is also where corrosion is initiated. In general, the zinc-nickel alloy coating systems are performing better and display less corrosion spreading effects than the zinc-iron or pure zinc systems in terms of corrosion.
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