Effects of Oxygen Partial Pressure on Oxidation Behavior of CMnSi TRIP Steel in an Oxidation-Reduction Scheme

An oxidation-reduction scheme is an alternative approach for improving the galvanizability of advanced high-strength steel in the continuous hot-dip galvanizing process. Here, we investigated the effect of oxygen partial pressure ($P_{O_2}$) on the oxidation behavior of a transformation-induced plasticity steel containing 1.5 wt% Si and 1.6 wt% Mn during heating to and holding for 60 s at $700^{\circ}C$ under atmospheres with various $P_{O_2}$ values. Irrespective of $P_{O_2}$, a thin amorphous Si-rich layer of Si-Mn-O was formed underneath the Fe oxide scale (a $Fe_2O_3/Fe_3O_4$ bilayer) in the heating stage. In contrast to Si, Mn tended to segregate at the scale surface as $(Fe,Mn)_2O_3$. The multilayered structure of $(Fe,Mn)_2O_3/Fe_2O_3/Fe_3O_4$/amorphous Si-Mn-O remained even after extended oxidizing at $700^{\circ}C$ for 60 s. $Fe_2O_3$ was the dominantly growing oxide phase in the scale. The enhanced growth rate of $Fe_2O_3$ with increasing $P_{O_2}$ resulted in the formation of more Kirkendall voids in the amorphous Si-rich layer and a less Mn segregation at the scale surface. The mechanisms underlying the absence of FeO and the formation of Kirkendall voids are discussed.