AK Steel Corporation

Research

AK Steel Corporation/BMW Manufacturing Company/Gestamp North America Inc.

Confidential
The concepts described and/or content of this document are not to be revealed to persons outside of AK Steel Corporation, its divisions or subsidiaries
and/or BMW Manufacturing Company and/or Gestamp North America Inc. without the express written consent of their management.

January 6, 2015

Spots on Bottom of EG at Gestamp S.C. No. 138215-03A

P. V. Janavicius

Gestamp reported finding small dark spots on the non-prime side of material for Door
Outers. The material was from AK Steel Coil No. 138315-03A. A sample of the
condition was sent to AK Steel Research for evaluation. The appearance of the sample is
shown in Figure 1. A spot was punched, cleaned in acetone out and examined in a
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The SEM was equipped with an Energy
Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) system to determine the elements present. Analysis of
the spot is shown in Figure 2 and an area away from the spot is shown in Figure 3. The
EDS spectra from both areas are identical showing only zinc. The morphology of the
zinc platelets on the surface of both the spot and the normal area were similar. The
results of the analysis were inconclusive as the EDS analysis was not able to detect the
cause. Since this condition was on the non-prime surface, it is not expected to have an
influence on the finished piece.

Paul Janavicius
Senior Research Engineer
Process Research
PJ/jj

*Disclaimer
The information and data in this document are accurate to the best of our knowledge and belief, but are intended for
general information only. Applications suggested for the materials are described only to help readers make their own
evaluations and decisions, and are neither guarantees nor to be construed as express or implied warranties of suitability
for these or other applications.
Data referring to material properties are the result of tests performed on specimens obtained from specific locations of
the products in accordance with prescribed sampling procedures; any warranty thereof is limited to the values obtained
at such locations and by such procedures. There is no warranty with respect to values of the materials at other locations.
This document or any part therein may not be reproduced without the written permission of AK Steel Corporation.

AK Steel Corporation/BMW Manufacturing Company/Gestamp North America Inc. Confidential

Figure 1. Photographs showing the appearance of the sample from S.C. No. 138215-03A.

Page 2

AK Steel Corporation/BMW Manufacturing Company/Gestamp North America Inc. Confidential

Figure 2. SEM/EDS analysis of a spot on the bottom side of S.C. No. 138215-03A.

Secondary Electron Image

Back Scattered Electron Image

Page 3

AK Steel Corporation/BMW Manufacturing Company/Gestamp North America Inc. Confidential

Figure 3. SEM/EDS analysis of a normal area on the bottom side of S.C. No. 138215-03A.

Secondary Electron Image

Back Scattered Electron Image

Page 4