Studies on the potential risk of liquid metal assisted cracking (LMAC) in normal‐temperature and high‐temperature hot‐dip galvanizing of high strength bolts of dimensions greater M24

Liquid metal assisted cracking (LMAC) mainly occurs due to an unfavorable interaction of three factors: a susceptible material condition, presence of a liquid metal and sufficient tensile stress. Hot‐dip galvanizing of high‐strength bolts induces high thermal loads in bolts made of tempered steel in the presence of a zinc melt and thus, provides the boundary conditions for the above mentioned critical factors to interact. The focus of this study is on investigating thermally‐induced stresses in large diameter bolts and their impact on the formation of liquid metal assisted cracking (LMAC). In order to calculate the thermal loads in hot‐dip galvanizing, simulations were carried out regarding the thermo‐mechanical behavior of bolts during the hot‐dip galvanizing process. The simulations illustrate that cracks are most likely to occur in the first thread turn. This prediction is confirmed by experimental observations.