An innovative strategy against oxide spallation of hot formed steels

Hot forming is a prominent technique to produce lightweight automotive steels. However, the generation of a weakly adhering oxide scale during hot forming and the subsequent post-processing of the scale pose a great threat to the shape precision of the product. Here, we propose a cost-effective solution to the spallation issue by incorporating minor silicate-molybdate additives into the rinse following pickling. The pre-deposited film serves as an effective barrier against high-temperature oxidation. Our innovative strategy enables the formation of an oxide scale that sticks to the substrate and paint layer, potentially eliminating the necessity for scale removal in industrial settings.