Impact of selective oxidation during inline annealing prior to hot-dip galvanizing on Zn wetting and hydrogen-induced delayed cracking of austenitic FeMnC steel

► Annealing parameters were widely varied to examine selective oxidation. ► Sub-surface microplasticity depends on selective oxidation. ► Liquid Zn wetting increases if a roughly globular MnO layer appears. ► Selective oxidation influences hydrogen/material interactions in sub-surface. ► Selective oxidation is assumed to influence delayed cracking.