Use of pre-oxidation to improve reactive wetting of high manganese alloyed steel during hot-dip galvanizing

► Mechanism of hot-dip galvanizing of TWIP steel was examined. ► Reactive wetting to Fe2Al5 on top of a MnO·Femetall layer occurs. ► Pre-oxidation elevates Femetal content within the MnO layer. ► Pre-oxidation improves liquid Zn wetting and Fe2Al5 formation. ► Partial MnO reduction or dissolution could not be observed.