3D computer simulation of the influence of microstructure on the cut edge corrosion behaviour of a zinc aluminium alloy galvanized steel

Recently, experimental work has been reported that demonstrates the effects of microstructural variations within Zn–Al Galfan type coatings on the corrosion behaviour of cut-edge material, i.e. those cases where both the underlying steel and the organic coated Galfan layer are simultaneously exposed to a corrosive environment [J. Elvins, J.A. Spittle, D.A. Worsley, Microstructural changes in zinc aluminium alloy galvanising as a function of processing parameters and their influence on corrosion, Corros. Sci. 47 (11) (2005) 2740–2759]. In this paper a finite difference numerical model of localized corrosion has been applied in an attempt to simulate this type of corrosion. Results from the model are compared to experimental observations.