The information on this page is current but is not official - official information can be found at the Penn State Ph server . Dr. Bitler is currently conducting research in the area of steel processing.
Steel used in commercial products such as automobiles is galvanized to reduce corrosion.
The two principal techniques for galvanization are zinc elcectroplating and hot dipping. In order to minimize the cost of this process while retaining a durable coating, it is necessary to control the reaction products between the Zn-steel interface. An electron microscopy study of the reaction between zinc and steel and the products it forms during commercial galvanized steel processing has been performed, and a new sample preparation technique was developed for the industry. Bitler found a phase with quasi-crystal features. Intermediate phases also play an important role in the mechanical integrity of galvanized steels.