RESULT/OBSERVATIONS

EPS low surface peak standard deviation (Rz) resulted in less draft from cold reduction. EPS removal of silicon streaks was noted, plus no oil in bell annealing lines because there's no oil on EPS.

Unlike acid pickling, no need to slow EPS processing speed.

Unlike acid pickling, no need to slow EPS processing speed. Some mills produce conventional hot roll with lower levels of magnetite and hematite (both prevalent in high alloy steels) to improve acid pickling performance. This inefficient practice is prevented with EPS.

A large user of EPS'd finished stainless reports they no longer need an environmentally hazardous etching to get good paint adhesion. Will investigate EPS processing of hot roll stainless in 2011.

A processor batch galvanized parts made from EPS. The galvanizing went well – parts looked great. The normal process consists of acid cleaning and flux bath, then zinc bath. EPS eliminates the acid bath.

When galvanizing EPS with heavier zinc coatings, adhesion was found to be much better than when using HRPO.

RESULT/OBSERVATIONS

  a.  EPS paint adhesion tests superior to acid-pickled steel.
  b.  EPS meets or exceeds acid pickling's results in salt spray testing.
  c.  EPS dry eliminates need to clean off surface oil. Especially big  benefit for large
       assemblies that don't fit in paint prep systems.
  d.  EPS dry is much cleaner than P&O, so paint prep can be leaner.
  e.  EPS surpassed this finish spec, and since it remained rust free during
       fabrication, EPS eliminated the need to media blast the final product.

Hydroformer likes EPS since it eliminates all scale from 6150 alloy  and surface is extremely clean. EPS has accumulated much tubing experience, including replacing cold roll with Castrip® steel.

In numerous stamping applications, EPS performs comparable to  P&O. A 14-coil trial of oil'd EPS found no unusual die wear. EPS Dry may perform better, as it lets lubricants contact the steel directly.

This processor saw no difference between EPS and acid-pickled strip.

EPS achieves much faster cutting speeds than acid pickling's oil.

No dangerous welding fumes with EPS Dry, plus stronger welds.

EPS exhibits no advantages or disadvantages vs. acid pickled.

EPS' no oil means cleaner shop and no dirt sticking to "oily parts".

HRPO's oil often causes skin rashes. No such problem with EPS dry.