Surface characterisation of galvanised steel coils with fretting wear

Atomic force microscopy is a very useful tool to evaluate the surface properties of galvanised steel sheets. Information about the surface can be obtained in minimal time and minimum sample preparation. Galvanised steel coils suffering from fretting wear are characterised by increasing surface roughness of the Al2O3 layer. Chemical treatment of this layer resulted in a smoother surface and reduced fretting wear. © 2008 Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.