WO2001036149A1 - Method of laser cutting and applying an anti-corrosion coating to the cutting surface - Google Patents

Method of laser cutting and applying an anti-corrosion coating to the cutting surface Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001036149A1
WO2001036149A1 PCT/CA2000/001340 CA0001340W WO0136149A1 WO 2001036149 A1 WO2001036149 A1 WO 2001036149A1 CA 0001340 W CA0001340 W CA 0001340W WO 0136149 A1 WO0136149 A1 WO 0136149A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
zinc
noble metal
applying
exposed edge
radiation beam
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA2000/001340
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ross Hill
George Barton
Original Assignee
Decoma International Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Decoma International Inc. filed Critical Decoma International Inc.
Priority to AU13752/01A priority Critical patent/AU1375201A/en
Publication of WO2001036149A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001036149A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
    • C23C24/00—Coating starting from inorganic powder
    • C23C24/08—Coating starting from inorganic powder by application of heat or pressure and heat
    • C23C24/10—Coating starting from inorganic powder by application of heat or pressure and heat with intermediate formation of a liquid phase in the layer
    • C23C24/103—Coating with metallic material, i.e. metals or metal alloys, optionally comprising hard particles, e.g. oxides, carbides or nitrides
    • C23C24/106—Coating with metal alloys or metal elements only
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K35/00—Rods, electrodes, materials, or media, for use in soldering, welding, or cutting
    • B23K35/22—Rods, electrodes, materials, or media, for use in soldering, welding, or cutting characterised by the composition or nature of the material
    • B23K35/24—Selection of soldering or welding materials proper
    • B23K35/28—Selection of soldering or welding materials proper with the principal constituent melting at less than 950 degrees C
    • B23K35/282—Zn as the principal constituent
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
    • C23C26/00—Coating not provided for in groups C23C2/00 - C23C24/00
    • C23C26/02—Coating not provided for in groups C23C2/00 - C23C24/00 applying molten material to the substrate

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a method of laser cutting and applying an anti- corrosion coating to the cutting surface.
  • Rust and corrosion is a serious problem for vehicles.
  • the vehicles are hot dipped in a zinc bath to apply an anti-corrosion coating.
  • trim pieces are applied to the exterior surfaces of the vehicle.
  • Certain vehicle manufacturers are reluctant to pierce holes in the exterior panels so as to facilitate fasteners for retaining the trim pieces.
  • the pierced holes expose untreated surfaces of the metal panel.
  • the untreated surfaces present a foothold for corrosion, reducing the effectiveness of the anti-corrosion coating.
  • the disadvantages of the prior art may be overcome by providing a process by which zinc, or any noble metal whose purpose is to protect the base material i.e. steel, by acting as a sacrificial anode, is deposited on the edges of a freshly formed hole to provide an anti-corrosion coating equal to or better than the base material.
  • a method of using heat generated by the laser to bond the zinc to the steel may be done during the laser cutting pass or during a second pass around the cut.
  • a process for treating an exposed edge of a formed hole in a metal substrate includes the steps of: delivering a noble metal to a region of the exposed edge to be treated; and applying a radiation beam from a laser in the region to bond the noble metal to the exposed edge.
  • Figure 1 is a side sectional view of a sheet steel being treated by the method of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a side sectional view of a sheet steel being treated by a second embodiment of the method of the present invention
  • Figure 3 is a side sectional view of a sheet steel being treated by a third embodiment of the method of the present invention.
  • the laser cutting system 12 generally comprises a an excimer laser 16 focused through a lens 18 to a target.
  • the operation of the laser 16 and lens 18 is more particularly described in United States Patent no. 4,857,699.
  • the sheet 14 is preferably a sheet of zinc galvanized steel.
  • Sheet 14 has a hole 20 formed therein.
  • Hole 20 can be formed using any conventional technique, including piercing, lancing, stamping, cutting, and laser cutting. If laser cutting is utilized, the method of the present invention can either be applied post cutting or simultaneously with the laser cutting. As is apparent, the hole forming process will expose edges of untreated metal in sheet 14 about hole 20.
  • the laser cutting system 12 includes a noble metal delivery system.
  • the delivery system comprises a tube 22 connected to a source of powdered zinc.
  • the tube 22 has a nozzle 24 at the delivery end for producing a desired spray pattern for the powdered zinc 26.
  • the powdered zinc 26 is preferably electrostatically charged to deliver the powdered zinc 26 to the untreated edges of hole 20.
  • the laser is activated directing a radiation beam to the region of the powdered zinc 26.
  • the powdered zinc 26 is heated and will bond to the edge of hole 20, thereby forming a coating.
  • the laser cutting system 12 is moved relative to the sheet 14 to treat the entire length of the exposed edge.
  • the sheet 14 can be any type and grade of metal, steel and alloys and the noble metal can be selected based on the sheet 14. Additionally, it is now readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the process of the present invention can be fully automated.
  • the noble metal delivery system is in the form of delivering a putty or semi-solid zinc 28.
  • the semi-solid or putty zinc is prepared by combining powdered zinc with some type of binder that would evaporate during the heating process.
  • the zinc 28 is squeezed out onto the edge of the hole 20 which is then heated up by the laser 16.
  • the noble metal delivery system is in the form of applying a solid zinc to the edge of the hole 20 and then heated by the laser 16.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Other Surface Treatments For Metallic Materials (AREA)
  • Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)

Abstract

A process for treating an exposed edge of a formed hole in a metal substrate, includes the steps of: delivering a noble metal to a region of the exposed edge to be treated; and applying a radiation beam from a laser in the region to bond the noble metal to the exposed edge.

Description

METHOD OF LASER CUTTING AND APPLYING AN ANTI-CORROSION COATING TO THE CUTTING SURFACE
Field of Invention This invention relates to a method of laser cutting and applying an anti- corrosion coating to the cutting surface.
Background of Invention
Rust and corrosion is a serious problem for vehicles. In order to minimize corrosion, the vehicles are hot dipped in a zinc bath to apply an anti-corrosion coating. On certain vehicles, trim pieces are applied to the exterior surfaces of the vehicle. Certain vehicle manufacturers are reluctant to pierce holes in the exterior panels so as to facilitate fasteners for retaining the trim pieces. The pierced holes expose untreated surfaces of the metal panel. The untreated surfaces present a foothold for corrosion, reducing the effectiveness of the anti-corrosion coating.
Summary of the Invention
The disadvantages of the prior art may be overcome by providing a process by which zinc, or any noble metal whose purpose is to protect the base material i.e. steel, by acting as a sacrificial anode, is deposited on the edges of a freshly formed hole to provide an anti-corrosion coating equal to or better than the base material.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of using heat generated by the laser to bond the zinc to the steel. The method of the present invention may be done during the laser cutting pass or during a second pass around the cut.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for coating a raw surface by delivering zinc to the surface by either spraying powdered zinc, delivering zinc in a semi-solid form or delivering zinc in a solid form, and bonding the zinc to the raw or exposed surface by laser heating the zinc. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for treating an exposed edge of a formed hole in a metal substrate. The process includes the steps of: delivering a noble metal to a region of the exposed edge to be treated; and applying a radiation beam from a laser in the region to bond the noble metal to the exposed edge.
Description of the Drawings
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a side sectional view of a sheet steel being treated by the method of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side sectional view of a sheet steel being treated by a second embodiment of the method of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a side sectional view of a sheet steel being treated by a third embodiment of the method of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated a laser cutting system 12 and a metal substrate in the form of sheet 14 being treated by the method of the present invention. The laser cutting system 12 generally comprises a an excimer laser 16 focused through a lens 18 to a target. The operation of the laser 16 and lens 18 is more particularly described in United States Patent no. 4,857,699.
The sheet 14 is preferably a sheet of zinc galvanized steel. Sheet 14 has a hole 20 formed therein. Hole 20 can be formed using any conventional technique, including piercing, lancing, stamping, cutting, and laser cutting. If laser cutting is utilized, the method of the present invention can either be applied post cutting or simultaneously with the laser cutting. As is apparent, the hole forming process will expose edges of untreated metal in sheet 14 about hole 20.
The laser cutting system 12 includes a noble metal delivery system. In the first embodiment, the delivery system comprises a tube 22 connected to a source of powdered zinc. The tube 22 has a nozzle 24 at the delivery end for producing a desired spray pattern for the powdered zinc 26.
The powdered zinc 26 is preferably electrostatically charged to deliver the powdered zinc 26 to the untreated edges of hole 20. As the powdered zinc is being applied to the edge of hole 20, the laser is activated directing a radiation beam to the region of the powdered zinc 26. The powdered zinc 26 is heated and will bond to the edge of hole 20, thereby forming a coating. The laser cutting system 12 is moved relative to the sheet 14 to treat the entire length of the exposed edge.
As is now apparent to those skilled in the art, the sheet 14 can be any type and grade of metal, steel and alloys and the noble metal can be selected based on the sheet 14. Additionally, it is now readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the process of the present invention can be fully automated.
Referring to Figure 2, there is illustrated a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the noble metal delivery system is in the form of delivering a putty or semi-solid zinc 28. The semi-solid or putty zinc is prepared by combining powdered zinc with some type of binder that would evaporate during the heating process. The zinc 28 is squeezed out onto the edge of the hole 20 which is then heated up by the laser 16.
Referring to Fig. 3, there is illustrated a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the noble metal delivery system is in the form of applying a solid zinc to the edge of the hole 20 and then heated by the laser 16.
Although the disclosure describes and illustrates the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is understood that the invention is not limited to these particular embodiments. Many variations and modifications will now occur to those skilled in the art.

Claims

We claim:
1. A process for treating an exposed edge of a formed hole in a metal substrate, comprising the steps of: delivering a noble metal to a region of the exposed edge to be treated; and applying a radiation beam from a laser in the region to bond the noble metal to the exposed edge.
2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said metal substrate is a steel and said noble metal is zinc.
3. A process as claimed in claim 2 wherein said zinc is in a powdered form.
4. A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein said zinc is combined with a binder which evaporates during the bonding step.
5. A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein said zinc is electrostatically charged.
6. A process as claimed in claim 2 wherein said zinc is in a solid form.
7. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of applying a radiation beam, includes moving the radiation beam along the exposed edge and continuously delivering the noble metal.
8. A process as claimed in claim 7 wherein said noble metal is in a powdered form.
9. A process as claimed in claim 8 wherein said noble metal is combined with a binder which evaporates during the bonding step.
10. A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein said noble metal is electrostatically charged.
11. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of applying a radiation beam simultaneously cuts said formed hole with said exposed edge.
12. A process as claimed in claim 11 wherein said metal substrate is a steel and said noble metal is zinc.
13. A process as claimed in claim 12 wherein said zinc is in a powdered form.
14. A process as claimed in claim 13 wherein said zinc is combined with a binder which evaporates during the bonding step.
15. A process as claimed in claim 13 wherein said zinc is electrostatically charged.
16. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said process includes a pre-step of providing a metal substrate and forming a hole in the metal substrate, said hole having an exposed edge.
17. A process as claimed in claim 16 wherein said step of applying a radiation beam includes moving the radiation beam along the exposed edge and continuously delivering the noble metal.
18. A process as claimed in claim 17 wherein said noble metal is in a powdered form.
19. A process as claimed in claim 18 wherein said noble metal is combined with a binder which evaporates during the bonding step.
20. A process as claimed in claim 19 wherein said noble metal is electrostatically charged.
PCT/CA2000/001340 1999-11-12 2000-11-10 Method of laser cutting and applying an anti-corrosion coating to the cutting surface WO2001036149A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU13752/01A AU1375201A (en) 1999-11-12 2000-11-10 Method of laser cutting and applying an anti-corrosion coating to the cutting surface

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US16504499P 1999-11-12 1999-11-12
US60/165,044 1999-11-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001036149A1 true WO2001036149A1 (en) 2001-05-25

Family

ID=22597180

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CA2000/001340 WO2001036149A1 (en) 1999-11-12 2000-11-10 Method of laser cutting and applying an anti-corrosion coating to the cutting surface

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1375201A (en)
WO (1) WO2001036149A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102009049752A1 (en) * 2009-10-17 2011-04-21 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Method for producing a sealed cutting edge of a sheet material, comprises introducing a split cut in the sheet material by laser beam cutting under formation of cutting edge to be sealed and simultaneously sealing the cutting edge

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE714026C (en) * 1937-04-30 1941-11-20 Metallgesellschaft Akt Ges Corrosion protection of zinc alloys
DE2625466A1 (en) * 1976-06-05 1977-12-22 Bosch Gmbh Robert Sheet steel reflector for headlamp - has cut edges and any holes in the sheet zinc coated
GB2086942A (en) * 1980-11-07 1982-05-19 Amfu Ltd Coating Fine Bores by Laser Beam Melting
DE3808302A1 (en) * 1988-03-12 1989-09-21 Skf Gmbh Arrangement for frictional fastening
EP0950461A2 (en) * 1998-04-17 1999-10-20 VAW motor GmbH Process and device for laser machining of an internal surface

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE714026C (en) * 1937-04-30 1941-11-20 Metallgesellschaft Akt Ges Corrosion protection of zinc alloys
DE2625466A1 (en) * 1976-06-05 1977-12-22 Bosch Gmbh Robert Sheet steel reflector for headlamp - has cut edges and any holes in the sheet zinc coated
GB2086942A (en) * 1980-11-07 1982-05-19 Amfu Ltd Coating Fine Bores by Laser Beam Melting
DE3808302A1 (en) * 1988-03-12 1989-09-21 Skf Gmbh Arrangement for frictional fastening
EP0950461A2 (en) * 1998-04-17 1999-10-20 VAW motor GmbH Process and device for laser machining of an internal surface

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102009049752A1 (en) * 2009-10-17 2011-04-21 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Method for producing a sealed cutting edge of a sheet material, comprises introducing a split cut in the sheet material by laser beam cutting under formation of cutting edge to be sealed and simultaneously sealing the cutting edge

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU1375201A (en) 2001-05-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10821546B2 (en) Method of forming a weld notch in a sheet metal piece
CN110914014B (en) Method for laser welding metal workpieces using a combination of welding paths
EP0189806B2 (en) Method of butt welding at least one-side zinc-coated, especially deep-drawable steel sheets or steel bands
EP2855070B1 (en) Sheet metal piece having weld notch and method of forming the same
US10953497B2 (en) Method for laser welding steel workpieces
DE19740205B4 (en) Process for applying a coating by means of plasma spraying
US20190375046A1 (en) Method for Welding Components
DE112015006504T5 (en) LASER WELDING OF OVERLAPPING WORKPIECES OF METAL
US10870174B2 (en) Method for producing a plastic-metal hybrid component
DE2740569B2 (en) Process for alloying selected partial areas of the surfaces of objects made of non-allotropic metallic materials
EP3303641B1 (en) Method for the hot forming of a steel component
US4898648A (en) Method for providing a strengthened conductive circuit pattern
JP2015224393A (en) Method and equipment for producing hardened molded article
US20150028004A1 (en) Method for marking components employing overlapping and subsequently barely overlapping laser pulses
DE112016006580T5 (en) INTEGRATED PRE-DRILLING AND LASER POINT WELDING OF COATED STEELS
WO2001036149A1 (en) Method of laser cutting and applying an anti-corrosion coating to the cutting surface
CN105274469B (en) Panel and method for treating a panel
US20180200837A1 (en) Method of preparing a sheet-metal workpiece for coating
JPH04251684A (en) Laser welding method of galvanized steel sheet
US20060065639A1 (en) Method of welding galvanized steel components
EP1195219B1 (en) A method for brazing a connecting joint or joining seam between two pieces of galvanized sheet metal
DE10106474B4 (en) Method for applying a corrosion protection layer on cut surfaces of sheets
EP3189928B1 (en) Method for removing a coating made of an organic material stuck to the surface of a tin-plated steel sheet
EP1604773A1 (en) Process for the pretreatment of zinc-coated steel sheets or aluminium sheets to be welded
CN111434442B (en) Manufacturing method of hot stamping part of bare board patch

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase