Abstract: A method of fabricating a precoated steel plate is provided. The method includes coating a steel plate by dipping the steel plate in a molten bath to obtain a precoat upon the steel plate. The precoat consists of an intermetallic alloy layer and a metal alloy layer, the intermetallic alloy layer is topped by the metal alloy layer. On at least one face of the plate, the metal alloy layer is removed in an area at a periphery of the plate using a laser beam, while at least part of the intermetallic alloy layer is left in the area. The step of removing includes measuring a characteristic of the laser or an area where the metal alloy area is to be removed to obtain a measured value, comparing the measured value with a reference value and stopping a removal operation to leave the at least part of the intermetallic alloy in place as function of the comparing step. Additional methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a precoated steel plate, the method including coating a steel plate by dipping the steel plate in a molten bath to obtain a precoat upon the steel plate, wherein the precoat includes an intermetallic alloy layer and a metal alloy layer. The intermetallic alloy layer is topped by the metal alloy layer. On at least one face of the plate, the metal alloy layer is removed in an area at a periphery of the plate using a laser beam, while leaving at least part of the intermetallic alloy layer in the area. The at least part of the intermetallic layer in the area has a thickness between 3 and 10 micrometers thick.

Abstract: A method of forming a steel part is provided. The method includes the steps of coating a first steel plate to obtain a first precoat upon the first steel plate so as to define a first base, a first intermetallic alloy layer on the first base and a first metal alloy layer on the first intermetallic alloy layer. On a first face of the first steel plate the first metal alloy layer is removed in a first area of the first steel plate, while at least part of the first intermetallic alloy layer in the first area remains. A second steel plate is coated to obtain a second precoat upon the second steel plate so as to define a second base, a second intermetallic alloy layer on the second base and a second metal alloy layer on the second intermetallic alloy layer. On a second face of the second steel plate, the second metal alloy layer is removed in a second area of the second metal plate, while at least part of the second intermetallic alloy layer in the second area remains.

Abstract: A method of butt-welding steel plates is provided. The method includes the steps of coating a first steel plate by dipping the first steel plate in a molten bath to obtain a first precoat upon the first steel plate. The first precoat includes a first intermetallic alloy layer and a first metal alloy layer, the first intermetallic alloy layer is topped by the first metal alloy layer. On a first face of the first steel plate, the first metal alloy layer is removed in a first area at a first periphery of the first steel plate, while at least part of the first intermetallic alloy layer in the first area remains. A second steel plate is coated by dipping the second steel plate in the molten bath or a further molten bath to obtain a second precoat upon the second steel plate. The second precoat includes a second intermetallic alloy layer and a second metal alloy layer, the second intermetallic alloy layer is topped by the second metal alloy layer.

Abstract: A plate is provided. The plate includes a steel substrate and a precoat having a layer of intermetallic alloy in contact with the substrate, topped by a layer of aluminum alloy. On at least one precoated face of the plate, an area situated at the periphery of the plate has the aluminum alloy layer removed. A part and a welded blank are also provided. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: Plate consisting of a steel substrate (1) and a precoat (2) consisting of a layer of intermetallic alloy (3) in contact with said substrate, topped by a layer of metal alloy (4), characterized in that, on at least one precoated face of said plate, an area (6) situated at the periphery of said plate has said metal alloy layer removed.

Abstract: Plate consisting of a steel substrate (1) and a precoat (2) consisting of a layer of intermetallic alloy (3) in contact with said substrate, topped by a layer of metal alloy (4), characterized in that, on at least one precoated face of said plate, an area (6) situated at the periphery of said plate has said metal alloy layer removed.

Abstract: Plate consisting of a steel substrate (1) and a precoat (2) consisting of a layer of intermetallic alloy (3) in contact with said substrate, topped by a layer of metal alloy (4), characterized in that, on at least one precoated face of said plate, an area (6) situated at the periphery of said plate has said metal alloy layer removed.

Abstract: Process for butt welding two metal blanks(1,2) of which the first blank is of steel and the second blank is of a metal having a melting temperature lower by more than 400.degree. C. than the melting temperature of the steel. The process includes positioning the two metal blanks (1,2) so that they contact each other in the region of their lateral faces to be butted together, maintaining the two metal blanks in contact, directing onto one of the principal faces of the metal blank (1) a high energy density bean (5) which passes through the first metal blank (1) and of which the focusing point is situated at a given distance from the joint plane (3) so as to generate in the region of the joint plane (3) a temperature equal to the melting temperature of the second metal blank (2) to within 10%, and displacing the high energy density beam (5).