Structure Analysis of Zn-Al-Mg Coating on Steel Wire

The corrosion resistance of zinc coatings is determined primarily by the thickness of the coating but varies with the severity of environmental conditions. In case of zinc-based alloys for steel coating the phase type and its quantity developed upon solidification determines corrosion resistance as well. In this paper the phase quality and evolution along thickness of the Zn-Al-Mg coating layer was studied by x-ray diffraction analysis. During investigation the coating was removed in controlled manner in several steps. Each individual step of removal was followed with x-ray diffraction measurement and subsequent analysis of x-ray diffraction patterns.