Fundamental study on liquid metal assisted cracking occurred at vent and drain holes during hot-dip galvanizing

This paper focuses on the effect of geometrical parameters on the occurrence of liquid metal assisted cracking (LMAC) initiated from the edge of vent and drain holes. The immersion tests and corresponding FEA were performed with the scaled specimens to investigate the temperature and strain histories during hot-dip galvanizing. From the investigation, the tensile strain increased as flange-to-web thickness ratio increased, and as the web thickness decreased, expanding the diameter of drain hole somehow reduced strain concentration. Overall, the increase in tensile strain results in significant increase in LMAC, regardless of geometrical configuration.