Effect of Hot Dip Plating Process Parameters on Microstructure and Properties of Zinc–10%Aluminum–Mischmetal Alloy Coated for Bridge Cable Steel Wire

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The authors presented an interesting study on the effects of hot dip plating process parameters on microstructure and properties of Zn-Al coating steel wire cable. Following minor comments are given for the authors to consider:

1. The Introduction is a little superficial, especially the past research on Zn-Al alloy coating and recent advances on the Zn-Al coated metal base material. 

2. Fig. 1: Division to Fig 1 (a) and (b) may not be needed.

 

 

 

 

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Thank you very much for your interesting paper.

Since effects of hot dip plating temperature and time on microstructires and properties of the Zn-10%Al-RE alloy coated wires were investigated in detail, this paper will be useful for many researchers and engineers in the future.

However, there are some explanations which are not sufficient in this paper. So, I would like to ask you to revise this paper with taking account of the following comments.

1) Please add the explanation on “RE” of Zn-10%Al-0.08RE.

2) Please unify of the tilt angle of the pictures in Fig.2.

3) Does “Hot dip plating” mean “Hot dip plating time” in table 4? If so, please replace with the proper one and add the unit. 

4) The label of x-axis is not proper in Fig.7. Please replace with the proper one. 

5) I understood that the strength of the Zn-10%Al-0.08RE coated wires in comparison with that of the galvanized wire. However, there is no data on the corrosion resistance of the Zn-10%Al-0.08RE coated wires in comparison with that of the galvanized wire. Please explain the corrosion resistance of the Zn-10%Al-0.08RE coated wires in comparison with that of the galvanized wire. 

That is all.

I would very much appreciate your contribution.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Authors attempted to dope RE in hot-dip coating of Zn alloy to improve the corrosion resistance and other properties of steel wire. The idea is good, but the authors fail to show the influence of RE on these properties. Moreover, RE is also not disclosed anywhere in the whole manuscript. This manuscript may be considered after addressing all these queries, suggestions and comments. In addition, a few more comments are given below:

1) reveal the RE, which RE was used? what is the form of RE, oxide or pure metal?

2) Please note that the % of RE is very nominal in the order of 0.1%; so it is better to mention it as the RE doped Zn-10%Al alloy instead of the present format. Please change the title and text accordingly for the whole manuscript.

3) Compare all the properties including corrosion results with RE undoped coatings will add value to this manuscript.

4) What is the role of RE and its mechanism on the above-said properties need to be brought systematically with logical evidence in the discussion section. please add a separate discussion section.

5) No quantification corrosion data was presented. please make it more quantifying.

6) What is meant by national standards? (conclusions 2nd point); it is an international publication; so please address it to your nation is not appropraite? please make the necessary corrections to make it a more uniform style.

7) Please follow the author's guidelines to address the citations in the text; for e.g. page no: 2: 3rd paragraph: please use Abdulaziz et al. instead of using the full name!

8) In the experimental section: please follow the standard way to represent the equipment or instruments used: (Model, make, city and country)

9) Fig. 1: image quality and resolution are not good. Add microbars

10) Fig. 2: how can you distinguish different layers by using optical images?

11) How would you confirm the different phases Fe2Al5 by using SEM-EDS data?

12) Fig. 7: Define X-axis numbers 1 to 5 in the figure caption itself to make it more reader-friendly.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Thank you very much for your revision.

Since this paper was revised properly with taking account of the reviewers' comments, I think this paper is publishable.

I would very much appreciate your contribution.