Abstract: A method of forming an Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coating on a steel strip includes dipping steel strip into a bath of molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy and forming a coating of the alloy on exposed surfaces of the steel strip. The method also includes controlling conditions in the molten coating bath and downstream of the coating bath so that there is a uniform Al/Zn ratio across the surface of the coating formed on the steel strip. An Al—Zn—Mg—Si coated steel strip includes a uniform Al/Zn ratio on the surface or the outermost 1-2 ?m of the Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coating.

Abstract: An Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coated strip that has Mg2Si particles in the coating microstructure is disclosed. The distribution of Mg2Si particles is such that the surface of the coating has only a small proportion of Mg2Si particles or is at least substantially free of any Mg2Si particles.

Abstract: Red rust staining of Al/Zn coated steel strip in “acid rain” or “polluted” environments can be minimised by forming the coating as an Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coating with an OT:SDAS ratio greater than a value of 0.5:1, where OT is the overlay thickness on a surface of the strip and SDAS is the measure of the secondary dendrite arm spacing for the Al-rich alpha phase dendrites in the coating. Red rust staining in “acid rain” or “polluted” environments and corrosion at cut edges in marine environments can be minimised in Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coatings on steel strip by selection of the composition (principally Mg and Si) and solidification control (principally by cooling rate) and forming Mg2Si phase particles of a particular morphology in interdendritic channels.

Abstract: An Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coated strip that has Mg2Si particles in the coating microstructure is disclosed. The distribution of Mg2Si particles is such that a surface region of the coating has only a small proportion of Mg2Si particles or is at least substantially free of any Mg2Si particles.

Abstract: An Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coated strip that has Mg2Si particles in the coating microstructure is disclosed. The distribution of Mg2Si particles is such that the surface of the coating has only a small proportion of Mg2Si particles or is at least substantially free of any Mg2Si particles.

Abstract: A process for coating a product by ion exchange including: a) providing a product that contains a surface segregating species (SSS) having a low surface energy component and an ionic component wherein the SSS has segregated to an outer surface of the product to form an activated surface; and b) treating the activated surface of the product with a liquid containing a surface modifying agent comprising one or more polyionic species, wherein the polyionic species is attracted to and deposits on the activated surface through a process of ion exchange.

Abstract: Red rust staining of Al/Zn coated steel strip in “acid rain” or “polluted” environments can be minimised by forming the coating as an Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coating with an OT:SDAS ratio greater than a value of 0.5:1, where OT is the overlay thickness on a surface of the strip and SDAS is the measure of the secondary dendrite arm spacing for the Al-rich alpha phase dendrites in the coating. Red rust staining in “acid rain” or “polluted” environments and corrosion at cut edges in marine environments can be minimised in Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coatings on steel strip by selection of the composition (principally Mg and Si) and solidification control (principally by cooling rate) and forming Mg2Si phase particles of a particular morphology in interdendritic channels.

Abstract: A process for coating a product by ion exchange including: a) providing a product that contains a surface segregating species (SSS) having a low surface energy component and an ionic component wherein the SSS has segregated to an outer surface of the product to form an activated surface; and b) treating the activated surface of the product with a liquid containing a surface modifying agent comprising one or more polyionic species, wherein the polyionic species is attracted to and deposits on the activated surface through a process of ion exchange.

Abstract: A wall/roof panel includes (a) a façade that has (i) an outer surface that defines a front surface of the panel and (ii) a rear surface and (b) a structural element connected to and supporting the façade.

Abstract: A method of forming a coating of an Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy on a steel strip to form an Al—Zn—Mg—Si coated steel strip is disclosed. The method includes the steps of dipping steel strip into a bath of molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy and forming a coating of the alloy on exposed surfaces of the steel strip and cooling the coated strip with cooling water. The cooling step includes controlling the p H of cooling water to be in a range of pH 5-9. Particular embodiments focus on Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloys that contain the following elements in % by weight: Zn: 2 to 19, Si: 0.01 to 2, Mg: 1 to 10, and Balance Al and unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: Red rust staining of Al/Zn coated steel strip in “acid rain” or “polluted” environments can be minimised by forming the coating as an Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coating with an OT:SDAS ratio greater than a value of 0.5:1, where OT is the overlay thickness on a surface of the strip and SDAS is the measure of the secondary dendrite arm spacing for the Al-rich alpha phase dendrites in the coating. Red rust staining in “acid rain” or “polluted” environments and corrosion at cut edges in marine environments can be minimised in Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coatings on steel strip by selection of the composition (principally Mg and Si) and solidification control (principally by cooling rate) and forming Mg2Si phase particles of a particular morphology in interdendritic channels.

Abstract: A method of forming an Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coating on a steel strip includes dipping steel strip into a bath of molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy and forming a coating of the alloy on exposed surfaces of the steel strip. The method also includes controlling conditions in the molten coating bath and downstream of the coating bath so that there is a uniform Al/Zn ratio across the surface of the coating formed on the steel strip. An Al—Zn—Mg—Si coated steel strip includes a uniform Al/Zn ratio on the surface or the outermost 1-2 ?m of the Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coating.