Structural and Mechanical Characterizations of Top Dross in a Molten Zinc Bath

In a molten zinc bath in continuous galvanizing line (CGL), top dross particles crystallize as Fe–Al–Zn intermetallic compounds. These easily adhere to the steel sheets causing surface defects. Therefore, controlling is key issue. Our study focused on structural and mechanical characterizations of using an electron probe micro analyzer, X-ray diffraction, back scattering Vickers hardness measurements, nano-indentation measurements. The following results were obtained: (1) crystal structure Fe2Al5Znx having 37–38 wt% Fe, 44–45 Al, 18–19 Zn belongs orthorhombic system with lattice constants = 7.61 Å, b 6.48 c 4.23 Å. a-axis becomes shorter, while its b- c-axes become longer compared those binary Fe2Al5. (2) coarsening faceted interface was postulated occur result driving force provided by anisotropic energy between Zn, rather than via aggregation mechanism. (3) elastic modulus are lowest [001] orientation, similar Fe2Al5, lower (4) fracture toughness approximately 1.1 MPa·m1/2, which slightly that