John R Smith
Member
Just to demonstrate how useful the info on the eLearn CD can be -
Several times there have been questions on the Fiat Forum about bodyshell protection. Well, the little 500 is very well protected, as this extract shows -
"Galvanized panels
The zinc deposited in a continuous layer on the surface of the panel constitutes the first line of defence against corrosion of the steel. The zinc layer acts as an active chemical protection for the steel, known as a sacrificial layer, that combines with the subsequent protective systems to guarantee outstanding long-term corrosion-proofing.
The galvanizing of the panels takes place directly through two different technological processes, both capable of ensuring constant thicknesses of zinc with a high standard surface finish:
It is therefore possible to produce simultaneous protection for both the inside and the outside of all panels and, in particular, protection of the surfaces in contact with several elements welded together.
Panels galvanized on both sides account for 90% of the vehicle body weight.
In particular, all the parts that make up the chassis, most exposed to corrosive agents, are 100% galvanized.
Of these, the structures defined as safety structures, such as the suspension mountings and reinforcements for the seat belts, are made from panels with a high zinc thickness, up to 20 micron.
The body is made entirely from 8 micron galvanized panels for the doors, bonnet, boot lid, side panels, wings and roof.
The exception is some of the inner parts of the passenger compartment because there is no risk at all of oxidation such as, for example, the dashboard mounting brackets.
Anti-corrosion test
All the anti-corrosion provisions made have been subjected to laboratory tests and they have performed well in accelerated tests on vehicles carried out in special test areas, where the most stringent conditions of the central-northern European markets have been reproduced."
So there you go.
John
Several times there have been questions on the Fiat Forum about bodyshell protection. Well, the little 500 is very well protected, as this extract shows -
"Galvanized panels
The zinc deposited in a continuous layer on the surface of the panel constitutes the first line of defence against corrosion of the steel. The zinc layer acts as an active chemical protection for the steel, known as a sacrificial layer, that combines with the subsequent protective systems to guarantee outstanding long-term corrosion-proofing.
The galvanizing of the panels takes place directly through two different technological processes, both capable of ensuring constant thicknesses of zinc with a high standard surface finish:
- Galvanizing: the panel is immersed in a solution of zinc salts and a layer of pure zinc is deposited by means of the electrolytic effect; the normal thickness of the zinc deposit is 8 - 10 micron.
- Hot galvanizing: molten zinc is deposited on the panel due to the effect of heat. In this case too the normal thickness of the zinc is 8 - 10 micron, but thicknesses of up to 20 micron can be reached using this process and it should be used for the parts most exposed to corrosion.
It is therefore possible to produce simultaneous protection for both the inside and the outside of all panels and, in particular, protection of the surfaces in contact with several elements welded together.
Panels galvanized on both sides account for 90% of the vehicle body weight.
In particular, all the parts that make up the chassis, most exposed to corrosive agents, are 100% galvanized.
Of these, the structures defined as safety structures, such as the suspension mountings and reinforcements for the seat belts, are made from panels with a high zinc thickness, up to 20 micron.
The body is made entirely from 8 micron galvanized panels for the doors, bonnet, boot lid, side panels, wings and roof.
The exception is some of the inner parts of the passenger compartment because there is no risk at all of oxidation such as, for example, the dashboard mounting brackets.
Anti-corrosion test
All the anti-corrosion provisions made have been subjected to laboratory tests and they have performed well in accelerated tests on vehicles carried out in special test areas, where the most stringent conditions of the central-northern European markets have been reproduced."
So there you go.
John
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