EDX analysis indicates a virtually oxide free surface after the second etch step (Fig. 4 d) as well as at the end of the coating procedure (Fig. 4 g). Furthermore the created coating exhibits great adhesive forces. Pull- off tests have been performed and a minimal tensile strength of 7.4 N/mm² has been measured.
The elimination of barrier layers is followed by the increase of the zinc layer thickness per variation of the dipping time. Casting experiments were carried out and cross-sections of the castings analyzed via EDX and BSE images. Figure 5 exhibits the diffusion profiles of zinc atoms into the hybrid support structure as well as into the casting matrix.