Influência do bismuto, níquel, estanho e alumínio na espessura da camada dos revestimentos galvanizados

Black malleable cast iron fittings were galvanized at sixteen different zinc baths, each bath was made with different concentrations and combinations of bismuth (0,06 - 0,10%), nickel (0,003 - 0,05%), tin (0,3 - 0,5%) and aluminium (0,01 - 0,14%). The coatings obtained were studied by thickness measurements, metallographic observation and scanning electron microscopy associated with energy-dispersive spectroscopy microanalysis. Some changes have been observed in the morphology of the galvanized coating with the different alloys, where each element played different role in reduction or not the zinc coating thickness. Bismuth improved bath fluidity, tin influenced on intermetallic compounds formation and aluminium, by the Fe2Al5 formation, inhibited the reaction between zinc and iron. On the other hand, nickel didn't alter the reactivity and didn't participate of the coating galvanized reduction. The elements added to the galvanizing bath were effective on coating thickness reduction providing a zinc saving and can be considered a very good alternative to substitute lead, a chemical element considered detrimental to the environment.