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ThyssenKrupp Expands Range of Hot-stamping Steels with GammaProtect
11/08/2011 - ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe has developed a new anti-rust finish, called GammaProtect®, that is suitable for hot-stamped components. The coating expands the application range for hot stamping to include parts in the wet area of the car body.
ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe has developed a new anti-rust finish, called GammaProtect®, that is suitable for hot-stamped components. GammaProtect is an electrolytic coating with a high melting point that is said to withstand the extreme temperatures of hot stamping. As well as protecting against scaling, it also provides active cathodic corrosion protection on par with the conventional galvanizing of cold forming steels, according to ThyssenKrupp. The coating expands the range of applications for hot stamping to include parts in the wet area of the car body particularly at risk from corrosion.
With its relatively low melting point of 419.5 degrees, zinc liquefies in the heating phase of the direct hot-stamping process. The composition of GammaProtect increases the melting point of the coating to over 870 degrees, and the zinc content is high enough to ensure it retains its cathodic corrosion protection properties, according to ThyssenKrupp. The coating can tolerate timing variations in the production cycle. Sheet coated with GammaProtect can be heated at faster rates, shortening holding time in the furnace by up to 20% compared with current production parts, the company claims.
GammaProtect has been tested under near-production conditions and has demonstrated that its suitability for all typical auto industry processing steps. Suitable joining techniques are adhesive bonding, resistance spot welding, as well as MIG/MAG welding. The coating’s corrosion-protection potential has been verified in extensive standardized tests.
The new coating is also suitable for tailored tempering technology, which is used to produce hot-stamped parts with customized strength and elongation properties. In addition, the coating is said to simplify the production of tailored blanks for hot forming, known as Hotform Blanks.
To meet customer requirements, the range of hot-stamping steels is also available in an uncoated variant and with an aluminum-silicon coating, which prevents scaling and provides passive corrosion protection.
