A zinc-coated steel may be produced by performing a pre-alloying heat treatment after galvannealing the steel and prior to the hot stamping the steel. The pre-alloying heat treatment is conducted at a temperature between about 850 F. and about 950 F. in an open coil annealing process. The pre-alloying heat treatment allows for shorter time at the austenitization temperature to form a desired -Fe phase in the coating by increasing the concentration of iron. This also decreases the loss of zinc, and a more adherent oxide exists after hot stamping.

A zinc-coated steel may be produced by performing a pre-alloying heat treatment after galvannealing the steel and prior to the hot stamping the steel. The pre-alloying heat treatment is conducted at a temperature between about 850 F. and about 950 F. in an open coil annealing process. The pre-alloying heat treatment allows for shorter time at the austenitization temperature to form a desired -Fe phase in the coating by increasing the concentration of iron. This also decreases the loss of zinc, and a more adherent oxide exists after hot stamping.

A process involves the continuous surface treatment of stainless steel coils with aqueous suspensions of rare earth oxide nano or micro particles or aqueous rare earth nitrate solutions of nano or micro particles. The surface treatment can be applied by roll coating, spraying or other conventional application techniques. The treated material in coil form is then heated in an annealing box using an open coil process whereby a wire is placed between coil laps to promote uniform atmosphere exposure. The atmosphere can be reducing or oxidizing and the times can vary from 1 hr to 100 hr. The atmosphere can also be wet (high dew point) or dry (low dew point). The surface treatment promotes a more uniform color to the subsequently developed oxide formed during anneal-type heat treatment. It also improves corrosion resistance of the processed stainless steel material. Materials treated in this manner are suitable for a variety of applications in the building systems, automotive and appliance markets.

A system for and a method of processing a waste lithium-ion battery make it possible to improve heat treatment efficiency and to heat-treat a large-sized waste lithium-ion battery without disassembling the battery. One example of the system for processing a waste lithium-ion battery includes a heater that heat-treats a waste lithium-ion battery at a heating temperature of lower than 400 C. to decompose and remove an electrolyte solution from the waste lithium-ion battery.

A system for and a method of processing a waste lithium-ion battery make it possible to improve heat treatment efficiency and to heat-treat a large-sized waste lithium-ion battery without disassembling the battery. One example of the system for processing a waste lithium-ion battery includes a heater that heat-treats a waste lithium-ion battery at a heating temperature of lower than 400 C. to decompose and remove an electrolyte solution from the waste lithium-ion battery.