The paper addresses the macro- and microsegregation of alloying elements in the new-developed Mn-Al TRIP steels, which belong to the third generation of advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) used in the automotive industry. The segregation behaviour both in the as-cast state and after hot forging was assessed in the macro scale by OES and by EDS measurements in different structural constituents. The structural investigations were carried out using light and scanning electron microscopy. A special attention was paid to the effect of Nb microaddition on the structure and the segregation of alloying elements. The tendency of Mn and Al to macrosegregation was found. It is difficult to remove in Nb-free steels. Microsegregation of Mn and Al between austenite and ferritic structural constituents can be removed.

We investigated the influence of steel surface properties on the wettability of zinc (Zn). Our main objective is to address the selective oxidation of solute alloying elements and enhance the wetting behavior of Zn on advanced high strength steel (AHSS) by employing an aluminum (Al) interlayer through the physical vapor deposition technique. The deposition of an Al interlayer resulted in a decrease in contact angle and an increase in spread width as the molten Zn interacted with the Al interlay on the steel substrate. Importantly, the incorporation of an Al interlayer demonstrated a significant improvement in wettability by substantially increasing the work of adhesion compared to the uncoated AHSS substrate.