TREATMENT DEVICE FOR PICKLING AND PHOSPHATING METAL PARTS, AND TREATMENT METHOD, AND TREATMENT PLANT FOR GALVANIZIG THE METAL PARTS

Abstract

A treatment device is provided for single-stage treatment of a metal object, wherein the treatment comprises at least pickling and phosphating of the object. The treatment device comprises a treatment container for holding the object to be treated and for holding a flowable treatment substance, and a pumping apparatus for circulating at least a portion of the treatment substance. The treatment substance is flowable around at least part of the object to be treated, and the treatment substance is a phosphorus- or phosphate-containing solution. The phosphorus- or phosphate-containing solution consists of water and a reaction substance, and the reaction substance consists of phosphorus or of a phosphate and at least one additional substance that improves the treatment effect. The fraction of the phosphorous or the phosphate in the reaction substance is between 75 vol % to 94 vol %, and the reaction substance has no fractions of hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid.

Claims

1. A treatment device for treating a metallic treatment object, wherein the treatment comprises at least the pickling and the phosphating of the treatment object, wherein the treatment device comprises: a treatment container for holding the treatment object and for holding a flowable treatment substance; a pump device for recirculating at least a portion of the treatment substance; a filter device; and a turbulence device for turbulizing impurities that deposit in the treatment substance; wherein the treatment substance may flow around at least a portion of the treatment object, wherein the treatment substance is a phosphorus- or phosphate-containing solution, wherein the turbulence device has at least one provision device and a fluid line element with a plurality of outlet openings for supplying a turbulizing fluid to the treatment substance, wherein the turbulizing fluid is suppliable by the provision device to the fluid line element at a pressure of greater than 2 bar, wherein the fluid line element forms multiple line sections that are decoupleable from one another by means of valve devices, at least the majority of the line sections being situated in an area of a base of the treatment container, wherein the treatment container is separated by a wall from a collection chamber for collecting treatment substance that flows over the wall, wherein the treatment substance collected in the collection chamber is conveyable back into the treatment container by means of a conveyor line, wherein the pump device and the filter device form an integral part of the conveyor line, and the conveyed treatment substance is conveyed through the filter device by the pump device, and wherein the conveyor line is designed in such a way that a weir flow for discharging a portion of the treatment substance from the treatment container and into the collection chamber is producible via the treatment substance that is conveyed back into the treatment container.

2. (canceled)

3. The treatment device according to claim 1 that wherein the line sections are formed by tubes, wherein the tubes are coupled to the base of the treatment container or situated thereon, wherein the tubes are connected to one another by means of at least one distributor unit, and wherein each valve device is designed as a shutoff valve, and the provision device is designed to provide gas that is under at least 2 bar pressure.

4. The treatment device according to claim 1 wherein the filter device is configured to remove from the treatment substance impurities that have become concentrated in the treatment substance, and a control device for operating the filter device and/or the turbulence device is provided, wherein the filter device and the turbulence device are operable, at least at times, in dependence on one another.

5. The treatment device according to claim 1 wherein the turbulence device is operable to provide the fluid and control the valve devices, at least at times, wherein the valve devices are controllable according to predetermined patterns.

6. (canceled)

7. The treatment device according to claim 1 wherein the treatment substance comprises a defoamer additive for defoaming, and wherein the defoamer additive is added to the treatment substance in a volume of 0.01% to 5% of the volume of the phosphorus- or phosphate-containing solution, or is added in a volume of 0.01% to 5% of the volume of the phosphorus- or phosphate-containing solution added to a pickling degreaser additive, and/or a pickling degreaser additive for pickling degreasing is added to the treatment substance, wherein the pickling degreaser additive is added in a volume of 0.5% to 7% of the volume of the phosphorus- or phosphate-containing solution.

8. The treatment device according to claim 1 wherein the treatment container has a main holding chamber into which the treatment object is introducible, and a first secondary holding chamber, wherein the main holding chamber and the first secondary holding chamber are connected to one another in such a way that the treatment substance on the one hand may flow out of the main holding chamber into the first secondary holding chamber, and on the other hand may flow from the first secondary holding chamber into the main holding chamber, wherein the main holding chamber and the first secondary holding chamber are delimited from one another in such a way that penetration of the treatment object into the first secondary holding chamber is at least partially prevented, and wherein the main holding chamber is likewise coupled to a second secondary holding chamber, wherein the first secondary holding chamber is a buffer holding chamber, provided beneath the main holding chamber, for holding a certain quantity of treatment substance, and wherein the second secondary holding chamber is a temperature control chamber, wherein the temperature control device is at least partially situated in the second secondary holding chamber.

9-16. (canceled)

17. The treatment device according to claim 3 wherein the tubes each have a diameter between 2 mm and 12 mm.

18. The treatment device according to claim 3 wherein the tubes each have a diameter between 3 mm and 9 mm.

19. The treatment device according to claim 3 wherein the tubes each have a diameter between 4 mm and 6 mm.

20. The treatment device according to claim 7 wherein the defoamer additive comprises triisobutyl phosphate.

21. The treatment device according to claim 7 wherein the pickling degreaser additive comprises an aqueous solution of nonionogenic biodegradable surfactants and inhibitors.

22. The treatment device according to claim 7 wherein the pickling degreaser additive comprises 2-butyne-1,4-diol.

23. The treatment device according to claim 7 wherein the pickling degreaser additive is added to the treatment substance in a volume of 1% to 5% of the volume of the phosphorus- or phosphate-containing solution.

Description

[0073] In the figures,

[0074] FIG. 1 shows a first illustration of a treatment device according to the invention in a passive state;

[0075] FIG. 2 shows a second illustration of a treatment device according to the invention in an active state;

[0076] FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of a further treatment device according to the invention;

[0077] FIG. 4 shows a perspective illustration of yet a further treatment device according to the invention;

[0078] FIG. 5 shows another perspective illustration of the treatment device according to the invention shown in FIG. 4;

[0079] FIG. 6 shows a perspective detail illustration of a portion of the treatment device according to the invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5;

[0080] FIG. 7 shows a first top view of the treatment device according to the invention shown in FIGS. 4 through 6;

[0081] FIG. 8 shows a second top view of the treatment device according to the invention shown in FIGS. 4 through 6;

[0082] FIG. 9 shows a perspective illustration of essentially the bottom side of the treatment device according to the invention shown in FIGS. 4 through 8;

[0083] FIG. 10a shows a first schematic side view of the treatment device according to the invention shown in FIGS. 4 through 9;

[0084] FIG. 10b shows a second schematic side view of the treatment device according to the invention shown in FIGS. 4 through 9;

[0085] FIG. 11 shows a scanning electron micrograph of a steel sheet that has been treated by the method according to the invention;

[0086] FIG. 12 shows an enlarged illustration of the scanning electron micrograph from FIG. 11;

[0087] FIG. 13 shows an example of a turbulence device as preferably provided according to the present invention, preferably in a treatment container according to one of FIGS. 1 through 10;

[0088] FIG. 14 shows the turbulence device known from FIG. 13 strictly by way of example, situated in a treatment container strictly by way of example;

[0089] FIG. 15 shows a side view of a device according to the invention with a turbulence device preferably situated therein;

[0090] FIG. 16 shows a treatment facility with at least one treatment device, a flux device, and a galvanizing device;

[0091] FIG. 17a shows a scanning electron micrograph of a surface phosphated by means of the treatment device;

[0092] FIG. 17b shows a scanning electron micrograph of the phosphating produced by means of the treatment device 1; and

[0093] FIGS. 18a/b each show an illustration of a zinc layer produced on a metallic object by means of the treatment facility according to the invention.

[0094] A treatment device 1 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1. The treatment device 1 is used for treating, in particular for degreasing, pickling, phosphating, descaling, preserving, and derusting, one or more treatment objects 2. The treatment object 2 is preferably introduced from the top into a treatment container 4 of the treatment device 1. The treatment container 4 is preferably at least partially, and particularly preferably completely, filled with a treatment substance 6. In addition, a temperature control device 8 for controlling the temperature of, in particular for heating, the treatment substance 6 is preferably provided. Furthermore, preferably at least one pump device 10 for recirculating the treatment substance 6 and/or producing a weir flow 20 and/or conveying treatment substance 6 that has left the treatment container 4 back into the treatment container 4 is provided. The treatment container 6 is separated from a collection chamber 14 by a wall 12. Due to the flow produced in the treatment container 4, treatment liquid 6 exits the treatment container 4 over the wall 12 and thus passes into the collection chamber 14. However, it is also conceivable for the treatment substance or liquid 6, due to introducing the treatment object 2 into the treatment chamber 4, to undergo displacement in such a way that a portion of the treatment substance 6 passes from the treatment container 4 over the wall 12. Reference numeral 16 denotes a conveyor line by means of which the treatment substance 6 that has left the treatment container 4 is conveyed back into the treatment container 4. A filter device 18 for filtering or preparing the treatment substance 6 is preferably situated in the area of the conveyor line 16 or in the conveyor line 16 or as a part of the conveyor line 16. It is conceivable for the pump device 10 or another pump device (not shown) to be situated or provided in the route of the conveyor line 16. In addition, a pump filter device may be provided which either replaces a pump device and/or a filter device or which may be provided in addition to same. It is also apparent from the illustration that the treatment container 4 preferably has at least one main holding chamber 22, a first secondary holding chamber 24, and a second secondary holding chamber 26. The individual holding chambers 22, 24, 26 are separated from one another, for example, by grids 27, in particular a grating in each case. The grid 27 prevents the treatment object 2 from being able to pass into one of the secondary holding chambers 24, 26. Reference numeral 28 denotes a nozzle by means of which a flow of the treatment substance 6 may be produced.

[0095] FIG. 2 shows the illustration known from FIG. 1, wherein the treatment object 2 according to this illustration is situated in the treatment container 4 and is thus in contact with the treatment substance 6.

[0096] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment variant of a treatment device 1 according to the invention, in particular for wire coil treatment. The treatment device 1 shown in FIG. 3 has, by way of example, a holding rack 40 which preferably bears multiple wire coils 39 to be treated. The holding rack 40 is situated on a delivery point 41, preferably multiple holding racks 40 and multiple delivery points 41 being provided. In addition, the treatment device 1 preferably has multiple, in particular 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or more, treatment baths 42. A plurality, in particular 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or more, of wire coils 39 are preferably introducible, in particular simultaneously, into a treatment bath 42 for the treatment. Reference numeral 43 denotes a preferably strictly optional device, namely, a fixing bath. It is conceivable for multiple wire coils 39, in particular 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or more, to be simultaneously introducible into a fixing bath 43. Furthermore, it is conceivable for multiple fixing baths 43 to be provided. The treated wire coils 39 may be situated at a removal point 44 for removal. The treated wire coils 39 are preferably conveyed to the particular removal point 44 by a transport device 45, in particular a transport car or a rail-guided gantry crane. In addition, preferably multiple devices for supplying, regulating, and controlling the treatment device 1 are provided. Thus, the illustrated embodiment includes, for example, a pressure belt filter device 46, a dosing device 47, a deionized water treatment unit 48, a control device 49, a further pressure belt filter device 50, a storage tank for a treatment basin 51, and multiple side channel compressors 52, in particular eight units. The dosing device 47 is preferably automated, and particularly preferably has a buffer tank with a volume of preferably greater than 5 m.sup.3, particularly preferably greater than 10 m.sup.3, and most preferably greater than or equal to 20 m.sup.3.

[0097] FIG. 4 shows a perspective illustration of a treatment device 1 according to the invention. The treatment device 1 is preferably L-shaped; i.e., it comprises a treatment container 4, the treatment container 4 having an interior portion that extends preferably at right angles to a second interior portion. One interior portion is preferably longer than the other interior portion, it also being conceivable for the interior portions to have the same length or essentially the same length. The illustrated design allows, for example, curved elements such as pipes, supports, claddings, etc., to be treated. The treatment container 4 preferably has at least or exactly one wall 12, wherein an area into which the treatment objects to be treated are introduced is separated from a collection chamber 14 by the wall 12. The collection chamber 14 is preferably used for collecting treatment substance that exits the treatment chamber over the wall 12.

[0098] Reference numeral 10 denotes a pump device, in particular for generating a flow within the treatment substance that is to be introduced into the treatment chamber. Reference numeral 18 denotes a filter device 18 for filtering or preparing the treatment substance.

[0099] A movement or flow of the treatment substance is brought about by means of nozzles 28a, 28b and 29a, 29b, 29c (see FIG. 5), from which the treatment substance that is conveyed by means of the pump device 10 is pumped into the treatment chamber.

[0100] The enclosure 61 encloses or houses the nozzles 29a-29c. Three rows with two nozzles 28a, 28b and three rows with three nozzles 29a, 29b, 29c are preferably provided, it also being conceivable for exactly or at least one nozzle 28 and/or 29 to be provided. The nozzles 28 are particularly preferably oriented at an angle with respect to the nozzles 29, in particular at right angles.

[0101] Reference numeral 60 denotes a main suction line by means of which treatment substance is discharged, in particular suctioned, from the treatment chamber via outlets 57a-57g (see FIG. 7). The discharged treatment substance is preferably prepared by means of the filter device 18 and conveyed back into the treatment chamber through the nozzles 28 and 29 by means of the pump device 10.

[0102] The treatment device 1 may preferably be dimensioned in such a way that an installation area of 5100 mm3800 mm is required. The treatment device 1 preferably encompasses a bath volume of essentially up to, at least, or exactly 14 m.sup.3. The useful volume of the treatment device 1 according to the invention is preferably 3400 mm3000 mm1500 mm, and the height of the overflow at the top edge is preferably 200 mm.

[0103] FIG. 5 shows another view of the above-mentioned embodiment of the treatment device 1 according to the invention. It is apparent from this illustration that the nozzles 29a-29c or the 33 nozzle arrangement are/is preferably accommodated in a pocket 61 in a wall of the treatment container 4, in order to preferably not interfere with or impair the useful area. The nozzles 28a-28b are likewise preferably accommodated in a pocket in another wall of the treatment container 4, in order to preferably not interfere with or impair the useful area. The pockets 61 are preferably provided with impact protection, not illustrated, to avoid damage to the fixtures.

[0104] In addition, a further filter device 19 is illustrated, the further filter device 19 preferably being designed as a coarse filter. It is particularly preferred that the treatment substance to be prepared is initially suctioned from the treatment container, then supplied to the further filter device 19, then conducted by the pump 10, then led through the filter device 18, which preferably may be designed as a bag filter, and then conveyed back into the treatment container via the nozzles 28, 29.

[0105] In addition, the illustration shows that the base of the treatment container 4 has surface portions 53, 54, 55, 56 that are inclined with respect to the horizontal. The surface portions 53-54 and 55-56 are in each case preferably situated in such a way that, in the area of a low point viewed with respect to a vertical direction, they form a linear contact area with one another. The contact area is preferably situated at a level below a contact area between the outer wall of the container extending in the vertical direction and the respective surface portion or base portion 53, 54. The surface portions or base portions 53, 54 and 55, 56 thus preferably form channels through which the treatment substance and dirt particles are conducted in a targeted manner to one or more outlets. The surface portions 53-56 are preferably oriented with respect to the horizontal with an inclination of 2 to 25, particularly preferably with an inclination of 6 to 15, and most preferably with an inclination of essentially or exactly 10.

[0106] Reference numeral 8 denotes a temperature control device that is preferably provided. The temperature control device 8 preferably has eight electric heating elements, in particular of 2 kW each. The heating elements are preferably likewise accommodated in the pocket 61 in the wall, in order not to interfere with or impair the preferably required useful area. The design of the heat output of the temperature control device may preferably be based on a Wessling unit (20 m.sup.3=20 kW heat output).

[0107] FIG. 6 shows in particular a detail illustration of the pocket 61 in which the nozzles 29a-29c and the temperature control device 8 are preferably situated.

[0108] FIG. 7 shows the first portion of a channel 62 resulting from the mutually inclined base portions 53, 54 and 55, 56 of the treatment container 4, and the resulting second portion 63 of the channel. The channel preferably also extends into the collection chamber 14. Outlets 57a-57f, in particular multiple outlets, for discharging or for suctioning out the treatment substance from the treatment chamber are particularly preferably provided in the channel or in the area of the channel. In addition, at least one outlet 57g for discharging or for suctioning out the treatment substance from the collection chamber 14 is preferably provided in the collection chamber 14. The outlets 57a-57g are preferably fluidically connected to the main suction line 61 via connecting lines.

[0109] Not illustrated is a grating which is preferably horizontally oriented, or which, oriented at right angles to the side walls of the treatment container 4, overlaps the base 53, 54, 55, 56 of the treatment chamber, wherein the grating is spaced apart from the base, in particular at a distance greater than 20 mm, preferably greater than 50 mm, and particularly preferably greater than 100 mm, wherein the grating is particularly preferably situated at a maximum distance of 500 mm from the base of the treatment container. The grating preferably takes on the function of spacing a treatment object that is introduced into the treatment chamber at a distance from the base of the treatment chamber, as the result of which particles that are detached from the treated treatment objects may accumulate beneath the treatment object, so that suction extraction of these particles is always possible.

[0110] FIG. 8 shows the main suction line 60 and a portion of the connecting tubes 58a-58g via which the outlets 57a-57g are connected to the main suction line 60. The overall suction line, which is preferably made up at least of the connecting tubes 58a-58g and the main line 60, preferably has a dismountable design. This is advantageous in particular for cleaning the individual parts of the overall suction line.

[0111] FIG. 9 shows a perspective illustration of the bottom side of the treatment device 1 according to the invention. In particular the connecting tubes 58a-58g that are connected to the outlets and to the main suction line are apparent in this illustration.

[0112] FIGS. 10a and 10b show different side views of the treatment device 1 according to the invention shown in FIGS. 4 through 9.

[0113] FIGS. 11 and 12 each show a steel sheet that has been treated using the method according to the invention, resulting in a closed surface structure made up of the phosphorus deposited on the steel sheet. The scanning electron micrographs were created by Fraunhofer Institute based on the specifications stated in the figures:

IFAM

GEMINI

Resolution 10 m

EHT=10.00 kV

WD=12.3 mm

Signal A=SE2

Signal B=InLens

Signal=0.5000

[0114] It is seen from the resolution below 10 m that, although the structure in the micrograph has a somewhat relief-like photographic design, due to the high magnification it is apparent to one skilled in the art that a smooth, closed surface structure has resulted from the phosphorus deposited on the steel sheet.

[0115] FIG. 13 shows a schematic illustration of an example of a turbulence device 70 in a top view. The turbulence device 70 may be designed as a fixed integral part of a treatment container 4, or may be detachably connected to such a treatment container 4. The turbulence device 70 preferably includes a fluid line element 74 that is preferably formed from one or more line sections 80a-80e. The individual line sections 80a-80e may be formed by lines, in particular hoses or tubes. Each line section 80a-80e preferably has a plurality of outlet openings 76 through which a turbulizing fluid, which is suppliable to the fluid line element 74 via a fluid provision device 72, may exit or escape from the fluid line element 74. The individual line sections (preferably tubes) are particularly preferably connected or coupled to a distributor device 84. Each line section 80a-80e is preferably connected or coupled to a valve device 78, in particular a solenoid shutoff valve. The valve devices 78 are in each case preferably situated between the distributor device 84 and the first outlet device 76, in the fluid flow direction of the turbulizing fluid that is conducted through the fluid line element. In addition, it is conceivable for multiple line sections 80a-80e to be coupled to a shared valve device 78, or in the case of one or more line sections, for a shared valve device 78, in particular a shutoff valve, for example a solenoid shutoff valve, to be provided. A control device 86 and/or pulse generating device 86 are/is preferably connected to the distributor device 84. The control device 86 preferably brings about the opening and/or closing of one, individual, multiple, the majority of, or all valve devices 78, in particular shutoff valves 78. The control device 86 preferably has a control device valve apparatus via which a fluid communication channel, by means of which the turbulizing fluid is supplied to the control device 86, may be interrupted, limited, or opened. The fluid communication channel is preferably formed on the one hand by the distributor unit 84 together with the line sections 80a-80e connected thereto, and on the other hand by a line connection 73, in particular a hose, that is in communication connection with a fluid provision device 72. Alternatively, however, the fluid provision device 72 may also be connected directly to the control device 86 and/or to the distributor unit 84. The fluid provision device 72 is preferably a pressurized fluid connection of a pressurized fluid source, for example a pressurized gas connection of a pressurized gas source, in particular a compressed air connection of a compressed air source. This may be, for example, a compressor and/or a pressurized storage device.

[0116] In FIG. 14, the turbulence device 70 known from FIG. 13 and described strictly by way of example is situated in a treatment container 4, and thus forms, as an example, the device according to the invention. In the longitudinal direction, the treatment container 4 is delimited on the one hand by the weir wall 12 and on the other hand by the rear wall 92. In the width direction. the treatment container is delimited on the one hand by the first side wall 90 and on the other hand by the second side wall 91. The base 82 of the treatment container 4 preferably has a discharge opening 85 through which the treatment substance is dischargeable, in particular conductible or pumpable, from the main holding chamber. The discharge opening 85 is preferably connected to the filter device 18 in such a way that the treatment substance that is discharged via the discharge opening 85 is supplied or suppliable to the filter device. The weir wall 12 on the other hand delimits the collection chamber 14, into which the impurities, turbulized by the turbulence device 70, together with the treatment substance flowing over the weir wall 12, may be conducted via the discharge opening 83 to the filter device 18 for filtering. Tubes, in particular made of stainless steel, having a preferred diameter between 4 mm and 6 mm are thus preferably fixedly installed on the wall base of the treatment facility. These tubes are preferably combined via a distributor unit. Each tube is particularly preferably provided with a shutoff valve, it being alternatively conceivable for only the distributor unit to be provided with a valve device, in particular a shutoff valve such as a solenoid shutoff valve, so that individual partial areas or the entire area in the bath may be acted on in a targeted manner. That is, the turbulizing fluid may be supplied to one or more tubes as needed in a targeted manner, as the result of which specific flows or turbulences may be generated in the treatment substance. The pressurized turbulizing fluid, in particular compressed air, is admitted into the bath or the treatment substance via the fluid line element or the tubing, preferably during the downtime of the treatment facility or the device according to the invention, and the contaminants still resting on the base are thus swirled up so that they may be distributed in the liquid or the treatment substance. The admission, in particular the blowing in, of the turbulizing fluid, in particular the compressed air, is preferably controlled via a timing valve and/or a control device 86, and may take place in a uniform or pulsing manner, continuously or at programmed time intervals, or as a function of detected sensor measuring data. The filter device 18 or the installed filter unit preferably runs at the same time while the fluid is blown in, and particularly preferably runs up to 3 hours afterwards or up to 2 hours afterwards or up to 1 hour afterwards or for more than 3 hours afterwards, and removes the turbulized contaminants from the treatment substance.

[0117] FIG. 15 schematically shows the rising turbulizing fluid, in particular the rising air bubbles 88. The treatment substance is turbulized by the air bubbles 88 that exit through the outlet openings 76. In addition, the air bubbles cause impurities, in particular sludge, to be stirred up from the base area of the device according to the invention and conveyed upwardly to the weir flow. FIG. 15 also shows a line 75 strictly as an alternative to the line 73. The line 75 may be coupled to the treatment container 4 in such a way that portions of the treatment substance may be removed from the treatment container 4. The portions of treatment substance removed by means of the line 75 are then supplied to the turbulence device 70, preferably by means of a pump device (not shown). The turbulizing fluid for turbulizing the treatment substance provided in the treatment container and delivered by the turbulence device 70, in this case to the treatment substance provided in the treatment container, is thus the portion of the treatment substance that is discharged via the line 75. The line 75 may be connected, for example, to the treatment substance removal means or to the opening or mouth or suction opening 85.

[0118] FIG. 16 shows a schematic design of the treatment facility 100 according to the invention, strictly by way of example. According to this illustration, one or more of the treatment devices 1, as known from the preceding figures, for example, may be provided. In addition, one or more surface treatment devices 94 may [be provided] for further surface treatment of the treatment object 2, previously treated by means of the treatment device 1. Further treatment preferably takes place for at least a portion of the surface of the treatment object 2, particularly preferably for at least the majority of the surface of the treatment object 2, and most preferably for essentially or exactly the entire surface of the treatment object 2. The surface treatment device 94 is preferably designed for coating the treatment object 2. One or more material layers are preferably applied or produced on the surface of the treatment object 2 by the surface treatment device 94. Priming and/or galvanizing of the treatment object 2 is preferably brought about by the surface treatment device 94.

[0119] In addition, it is conceivable for a drying device (not shown) for drying the treatment object 2 to be provided or situated in the transport path 96, between the treatment device 1 and the surface treatment device 94. Additionally or alternatively, it is conceivable for a drying device (not shown) to be provided or situated downstream from the surface treatment device 94 or as an integral part of the surface treatment device.

[0120] The surface treatment device 94 preferably has at least one flux device 194, in particular a flux bath, for fluxing the treatment object, and a galvanizing device 294. The flux device 194 preferably has a holding container, in particular a vat, which is at least partially filled with a fluxing agent or a fluxing active substance, in particular a chloride such as ammonium chloride or zinc chloride, or a mixture of flux active substances. Alternatively, it is conceivable for the treatment object to be wetted with the flux active substance or the flux active substances, in particular acted on by a mist or a liquid jet. As a result of the flux device, a type of adhesion promoter or primer is produced on the protective layer produced by the treatment device, or the protective layer is converted into an adhesion-promoting layer by the fluxing. After the fluxing, the treatment object 2 is preferably dried, in particular in a drying device not shown. The drying device may be an integral part of the flux device 194 or the galvanizing device 294, as an alternative it also being conceivable for the drying device to be a device that is separate, in particular structurally, functionally, spatially, and/or energetically separate, from the flux device 194 and/or the galvanizing device. The drying device is preferably situated in the transport path of a transport device, between the flux device 194 and the galvanizing device 294. The drying in the drying device preferably takes place at a temperature between 70 C. and 150 C., in particular at a temperature between 80 C. and 120 C.

[0121] The galvanizing device 294 is preferably designed for batch galvanizing or strip galvanizing. The galvanizing device 294 preferably includes a hot zinc bath. The temperature of the zinc bath is preferably 450 C. or essentially 450 C.

[0122] The treatment object 2 is thus initially supplied to the treatment device 1 and modified therein by the treatment substance, in particular cleaned, pickled, and provided with a phosphorus or phosphate layer.

[0123] FIG. 17a shows a scanning electron micrograph of a surface phosphated by means of the treatment device. It is apparent that the phosphate layer is heterogeneous. The layer thickness is only a few microns, in particular less than or equal to 100 microns or less than or equal to 80 microns or less than or equal to 70 microns or less than or equal to 65 microns or less than or equal to 63 microns or less than or equal to 60 microns or less than or equal to 58 microns or less than or equal to 55 microns or less than or equal to 50 microns.

[0124] FIG. 17b shows a scanning electron micrograph of the phosphating produced by means of the treatment device 1.

[0125] FIGS. 18a and 18b show a cross section of a portion of a metallic object 2 and a zinc layer that is formed on the metallic object 2 or as an integral part of the metallic object 2. The metallic object is in particular a metallic component such as a frame, in particular a vehicle frame, or a support element or connecting means or cladding element, or a metallic device such as a container, or the treatment object as previously described with reference to the other figures. The metallic object 2 includes at least one metallic portion, wherein a zinc layer 300 is formed on at least one surface 301 of the metallic portion, wherein preferably bubble-shaped inclusions 302 are present in the zinc layer 300, wherein the bubble-shaped inclusions 302 particularly preferably contain phosphorus or a phosphate. In addition, the zinc layer 300 in a first section 306 directly adjoining the metallic portion is preferably present in a Zn/X phase, where X stands for a material, in particular iron (Fe), that is an integral part of the metallic portion. Thus, if the metallic object is a body made at least partially, preferably predominantly, and particularly preferably completely, of iron, an iron compound, an iron alloy, or a steel, a Zn/Fe phase is thus preferably present in the first section. The first section 306 is preferably adjoined by a second section 308 that is formed by a zinc phase, wherein the bubble-shaped inclusions 302 are preferably situated at least predominantly, particularly preferably completely, in the second section 308. The second section 308 is preferably higher or thicker than the first section 306. The second section 308 is thus preferably at least as high or thick as the first section 306. The height or thickness of the second section 308 is particularly preferably 1.5 times, in particular more than 2 times or more than 2.5 times or more than 3 times, as great as for the first section 306.

[0126] Reference numeral 310 denotes embedding material which is used solely for recording the illustration shown.

[0127] The above-described layer formation is producible on a treatment object by treating the treatment object 2 using the treatment facility 100 according to the invention, in particular by treating using the treatment device 1 according to the invention, followed by fluxing in a flux device, in particular a flux bath, and subsequent galvanizing, in particular hot dip galvanizing.

[0128] The present invention preferably relates to a treatment device 1 for the single-stage treatment of a metal treatment object 2, wherein the treatment comprises at least the pickling and the phosphating of the treatment object 2, wherein the treatment device 1 includes at least the following stated devices: a treatment container 4 for holding the treatment object 2 and for holding a flowable treatment substance 6, a pump device 10 for recirculating at least a portion of the treatment substance 6, wherein the treatment substance 6 flows around at least a portion of the treatment object 2, in particular the entire treatment object 2, wherein the treatment substance 6 is a phosphorus- or phosphate-containing solution, in particular phosphoric acid, wherein the phosphorus- or phosphate-containing solution consists of water on the one hand and a reaction substance on the other hand, and a turbulence device 70 for turbulizing impurities, in particular solid particles, that deposit in the treatment substance, wherein the turbulence device 70 has at least one provision device 72 and a fluid line element 74 with a plurality of outlet openings 76 for supplying a turbulizing fluid to the treatment substance 6, wherein the turbulizing fluid is suppliable by the provision device 72 to the fluid line element 74 at a pressure of greater than 2 bar.

[0129] The present invention particularly preferably relates to a treatment device 1 for the single-stage treatment of a metallic treatment object 2, wherein the treatment comprises at least the pickling and the phosphating of the treatment object 2. The treatment device 1 according to the invention preferably includes at least the following stated devices: a treatment container 4 for holding the treatment object 2 and for holding a flowable treatment substance 6, a pump device 10 for recirculating at least a portion of the treatment substance 6, wherein the treatment substance 6 flows around at least a portion of the treatment object 2, in particular the entire treatment object 2, wherein the treatment substance 6 is a phosphorus- or phosphate-containing solution, in particular phosphoric acid, wherein the phosphorus- or phosphate-containing solution consists of water, in particular deionized water, on the one hand and a reaction substance on the other hand. The reaction substance preferably consists of phosphorus or a phosphate and at least one additional substance that improves the treatment effect, in particular containing one or more inhibitors. The proportion of phosphorus or phosphate in the reaction substance is preferably between 75 vol % and 94 vol %, preferably between 80 vol % and 90 vol %, particularly preferably between 83 vol % and 88 vol %. The reaction substance preferably contains no fractions of hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, and preferably also contains no fractions of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, lead, mercury, or selenium, and is mixed with water preferably in a ratio of between 1 kg reaction substance to 4 liters water and 1 kg reaction substance to 12 liters water, in particular in a ratio of 1 kg reaction substance to 6 liters [water].

[0130] The invention may preferably relate to a treatment method for preparing a treatment object 2 that is in particular metallic. The method preferably comprises at least the following steps: providing a treatment container 4 for holding at least one treatment object 2 and for holding a flowable treatment substance 6, introducing the treatment substance 6 into the treatment container 4, wherein no further treatment container for pickling and phosphating is used, introducing the treatment substance 6 into the treatment container 5, and introducing the treatment object 2 into the treatment container 4 that is at least partially filled with the treatment substance 6 in order to bring the treatment object 2 into contact with the treatment substance 6, wherein at least cleaning, in particular degreasing, and phosphating of the treatment object 2 is brought about due to the contact between the treatment substance 6 and the treatment object 2, wherein the treatment substance 6 is a phosphorus- or phosphate-containing solution, in particular phosphoric acid, wherein the phosphorus- or phosphate-containing solution consists of water on the one hand and a reaction substance on the other hand, wherein the reaction substance consists of phosphorus or a phosphate and an additional substance that improves the treatment effect, wherein the proportion of phosphorus or phosphate in the reaction substance is less than 95%, wherein the reaction substance contains no fractions of hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, wherein after removal from the treatment container, the treatment object is supplied to a first surface treatment device and subsequently to a second surface treatment device, wherein the protective layer is provided with an adhesion-promoting layer or is converted into an adhesion-promoting layer by the first surface treatment device, and galvanizing of the treatment object is brought about by the second surface treatment device.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference numerals 1 treatment device 2 treatment object 4 treatment container 6 treatment substance 8 temperature control device 10 pump device 12 wall 14 collection chamber 16 conveyor line 18 filter device 19 further filter device 20 weir flow 22 main holding chamber 24 first secondary holding chamber 26 second secondary holding chamber 27 grid 28 nozzle 39 wire coil 40 treatment device for treating wire 41 delivery point 42 treatment bath 43 fixing bath 44 removal point 45 transport device 46 pressure belt filter device 47 dosing device 48 deionized water treatment unit 49 control device 50 further pressure belt filter device 51 storage tank 52 side channel compressor 53 first inclined base portion 54 second inclined base portion 55 third inclined base portion 56 fourth inclined base portion 57 outlet 58 connecting tube 60 main suction line 61 pocket with nozzles 62 first portion of the channel 63 second portion of the channel 70 turbulence device 72 provision device 73 line 74 fluid line element 76 outlet openings 78 valve device 80 line sections/tubes 80a first line section 80b second line section 80c third line section 80d fourth line section 80e fifth line section 82 base 84 distributor unit 86 control unit 84 discharge opening in the collection chamber 86 discharge opening in the main holding chamber 88 rising fluid (preferably air) 90 side wall 92 rear wall 94 surface treatment device 96 transport path 100 treatment facility 194 flux device 294 galvanizing device 300 zinc layer 301 surface of the metallic object 302 inclusions 306 Zn/X phase 307 boundary area 308 Zn phase 310 embedding material