FACTORS AFFECTING THE QUALITY OF NICKEL-COATED STEEL PREPARED BY SLURRY PROCESSES

Abstract

Three processes developed for the nickel coating of steel using slurries of nickel powders are outlined. The processes described vary at the initial stage of consolidation and involve (1) warm compaction, (2) hot compaction, (3) sintering. The final requirements of the coated product are ductility and corrosion-resistance; the latter property being the most difficult to achieve and requiring specific controls at various stages. The stages discussed are steel type and pretreatment, slurry composition and method of application, thermal treatments, and rolling parameters.

With the controls recommended at each stage, the three processes will provide corrosion resistance equivalent to that of electroplated materials as judged fromaccelerated corrosion tests and field trials.

One of the processes was scaled up to pilot-line proportions, operating continuously on 1 tonne coils 300 mm (12 in) wide.

Notes

* Manuscript received 25 July 1974. Contribution to a Symposium on ‘Factors Affecting the Uses of PM Products’ held in Eastboume on 28–30 October 1974.