Development of innovative nanoparticle-based protective coatings for the production of high-strength steel compounds by press-hardening

16437 N

Bild Forschungsprojekt
Period:  01.08.2013 - 30.11.2016
Partner:  RWTH Aachen, Insitut für Eisenhüttenkunde, Prof. Dr.-Ing. W. Bleck
Funder:  AiF
Project Manager:  Dr. Volodymyr Kuznetsov
Research Group:  Corrosion

Introduction

The increased use of advanced high strength steels (AHSS) allows the weight reduction of vehicles in automotive industry without a compromise with crash-safety. The highest strength accompanied by complex geometry of steel components is achieved in a so-called press-hardening process (Hot pressing with quenching).

The main problem in such a process is the strong oxidation of the steel as well as the decarbonisation of the surface-adjacent area during the heating of a steel blank. Though the resulting scale could be effectively removed, the manufacturing cost climbs too high due to the additional operation. Therefore a suitable coating is necessary, which possesses high-temperature stability and formability in addition to the thermal shock resistance. Moreover, the coated high strength component should be paintable and weldable immediately after the press-hardening. The existent commercial coatings show in one or a few areas significant deficiencies.

Results of the Project

The Corrosion research group at DECHEMA Research Institute together with the Department of Ferrous Metallurgy of RWTH Aachen Technical University have developed a nanoparticle-based coating system, which has a high potential, especially in regard to the application costs and weldability. In the course of the project the partner in Aachen was responsible for the hot pressing and characterization of the coated steel components, while at DECHEMA the formulation of coating components and the development of the application procedure took place.

The innovative coating system is so promising, that a patent has been filed. To promote the implementation of the process in the industry an application for an EXIST-Research-Transfer project has been submitted to the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). Within the project a transition from a laboratory prototype to the industry-relevant product should be accomplished together with partners from industry. Should the economic viability be demonstrated, founding a startup is envisaged so that the commercialization of the coating system can be implemented.

Acknowledgement

The financial support of the IGF-projects no. 16437N from the Research Association GfKORR eV and no. 495 ZN from the Research Association DECHEMA e.V. from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy through AiF within the scope of the Program for the Support of Joint Industrial Research and Development (IFG) has been gratefully acknowledged.

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Das IGF-Vorhaben Nr. 16437 N der Forschungsvereinigung DECHEMA e.V., Theodor-Heuss-Allee 25, 60486 Frankfurt am Main wurde über die AiF im Rahmen des Programms zur Förderung der industriellen Gemeinschaftsforschung (IGF) vom Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie aufgrund eines Beschlusses des Deutschen Bundestages gefördert.

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