The Cleaning and Preparation of Autobody Steel for Improved Corrosion Resistance

This publication presents the results of recent research in our laboratories which shows that a 3-dimensional abrasive surface conditioning process has the ability to produce a uniformity and similarity between steels regardless of the mill source. This process also permits the removal of carbonaceous and other detrimental residue from the surface of all steels. It is further shown that this surface conditioning process promotes deposition of a chemical activator on the steel. The effect of the pre-treatment of steels with the 3-dimensional abrasive and the chemical activator is to produce a uniformly dense growth of zinc phosphate crystals and to improve the corrosion resistance of the steels.