Open Access Conference Proceedings

In industrial practice on various production stages of the fittings for overhead power line, there are many factors that cause the zinc coating thickness diversification, that in the next step determine its corrosion resistance. This effect is observed especially in the thermal cutting process. The changes in the structure of the cut material influence the structure and properties of zinc coatings.The paper presents the results of investigation regarding the typical production process of fittings for overhead power lines (double-eye links). The research was conducted on the link’s flat surface (after rolling) and the side surface (after oxy-acteylene blowpipe cutting). The zinc coatings thickness and structure diversification were evaluated on the basis of metallographic analysis and corrosion tests (according to EN ISO 9227).It has been proved that the existence of HAZ in the oxy-acetylene cutting material and, as a consequence, bigger hardness have an impact on the diffusion pace on the edge of steel/coating, and on the processes of substrate melting which assist zinc coating growth.

Keywords: Oxy-acetylene blowpipe cutting, heat affected zone, zinc coating, hot-dip zinc galvanizing

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