Optimizing of parameters dipping metallization of Taguchi method

Zinc coatings obtained by immersion metallization are an effective and economical way to protect against corrosion also for high carbon steels, foundry iron alloys. However, the difficulties encountered in surface preparation due to oxide contamination, as well as the presence of carbon (graphite) from the casting process or cast iron sludge, make cast irons zinc-plated by manufacturers reluctantly. The technological properties of the zinc baths and the technological properties of the coatings obtained vary considerably depending on the various impurity and alloying additives. The effect of zincing time significantly affects the thickness of zinc coatings and is dependent on the mass and thickness of the sample. The submerged object heats up faster or slower, depending on the thickness, and its temperature first reaches and then exceeds the melting point of the zinc. However, to avoid zinc over time, it is appropriate to respond to the current ISO standard EN 1461:2009, which specifies the minimum thickness of zinc coatings on steel substrate. The subject of the study was the optimization of parameters metallization using the Taguchi Method. The analysis took into account the influence of the immersion time and temperature of the bath of molten zinc on the thickness of the zinc coating. The test was conducted for three different times, i.e. 30, 60 and 150 seconds and for three different values of the temperature of the bath: 440, 460, 480 [°C]. In order to predict the thickness of the coating, multiple regression analysis was applied, which showed that the experiment was carried out correctly and falling within the limits of tolerance error.