Archives of Metallurgy and Materials

Abstract

EffEct of AtmosphEric-prEssurE GAs-plAsmA trEAtmEnt on surfAcE propErtiEs of hot-Dip Zn-mg-Al Alloy-coAtED stEElThe effect of plasma-radical change on the surface properties of Zn-mg-al ternary-alloy-coated steel sheets during atmosphericpressure (aP) plasma treatment using different process gases: o 2 , n 2 , and compressed air was investigated. The plasma-induced radicals promoted the formation of chemical particles on the surface of the Zn-mg-al coating, thereby increasing the surface roughness. The surface energy was calculated using the owen-Wendtgeometric equation. Contact angle measurements indicated that the surface free energy of the alloy sheets increased upon aP plasma treatment. The surface properties of the Zn-mg-al coating changed more significantly in the order air > o 2 > n 2 gas, indicating that the plasma radicals facilitated the carbonization and hydroxylation of the mg and al components during the aP plasma treatment.