Abstract: A new processed steel sheet comprising of a steel base coated with a Zn or its alloy plating layer and a converted layer, which contains both of at least an insoluble or scarcely-soluble metal compound and at least a soluble metal compound. The insoluble or scarcely-soluble compound may be one or more of valve metal oxides or hydroxides, and the soluble compound may be one or more of valve metal fluorides. The converted layer may be also composed of one or more of complex compounds of Mn and Ti. The insoluble or scarcely-soluble compound acts as a barrier for insulation of a steel base from an atmosphere, while the soluble compound exhibits a self-repairing faculty to repair defective parts of the converted layer. Due to the converted layer, the processed steel sheet is remarkably improved in corrosion resistance, without the presence of chromium compounds which would put harmful influences on the environment.

Abstract: A new processed steel sheet comprises a steel base coated with a Zn or its alloy plating layer and a converted layer, which contains both of at least an insoluble or scarcely-soluble metal compound and at least a soluble metal compound. The insoluble or scarcely-soluble compound may be one ore more of valve metal oxides or hydroxides, and the soluble compound may be one or more of valve metal fluorides. The converted layer may be also composed of one ore more of complex compounds of Mn and Ti. The insoluble or scarcely-soluble compound acts as a barrier for insulation of a steel base from an atmosphere, while the soluble compound exhibits a self-repairing faculty to repair defective parts of the converted layer. Due to the converted layer, the processed steel sheet is remarkably improved in corrosion resistance, without presence of chromium compounds which would put harmful influences on the environment.

Abstract: A Zn-Mg binary coating layer formed on a steel sheet has the tri-layered structure that the first sublayer composed of a Zn-Mg alloy having Mg concentration of 0.5 wt. % or less, the second sublayer composed of a Zn-Mg alloy having Mg concentration of 7 wt. % or more and the third sublayer composed of a Zn-Mg alloy having Mg concentration of 0.5 wt. % or less are successively laminated. The coating layer may have the penta-layered structure wherein sublayers composed of a Zn-Mg alloy having Mg concentration of 2-7 wt. % are additionally interposed between the high-Mg and low-Mg sublayers. A Zn-Fe or Zn-Fe-Mg alloy layer may be formed at the boundary between the substrate steel and the coating layer. The adhesion ratio of the first sublayer to the top sublayer is preferably 1.2 or more, while the high-Mg sublayer is preferably conditioned to the mixed structure of a Zn.sub.2 Mg phase with a Mg-dissolved Zn phase.

Abstract: A Zn--Mg binary coating layer formed on a steel sheet has the tri-layered structure that the first sublayer composed of a Zn--Mg alloy having Mg concentration of 0.5 wt. % or less, the second sublayer composed of a Zn--Mg alloy having Mg concentration of 7 wt. % or more and the third sublayer composed of a Zn--Mg alloy having Mg concentration of 0.5 wt. % or less are successively laminated. The coating layer may have the penta-layered structure wherein sublayers composed of a Zn--Mg alloy having Mg concentration of 2-7 wt. % are additionally interposed between the high-Mg and low-Mg sublayers. A Zn--Fe or Zn--Fe--Mg alloy layer may be formed at the boundary between the substrate steel and the coating layer. The adhesion ratio of the first sublayer to the top sublayer is preferably 1.2 or more, while the high-Mg sublayer is preferably conditioned to the mixed structure of a Zn.sub.2 Mg phase with a Mg-dissolved Zn phase.