Scale conditioning process for advanced high strength carbon steel alloys

A method for treating and removing a layer of scale comprising iron oxide and alloying elements oxides that is formed on an advanced high strength metal surface, the method comprising:

• conditioning, via a first conditioning process, a scale layer that is formed on a surface of an advanced high strength steel product via reaction with oxygen during a hot rolling process, wherein the advanced high strength steel product comprises at least two (2) percent by weight of alloy, and wherein the scale layer comprises iron oxide and alloy oxide that is formed by oxidation of the alloy, and wherein the conditioning via the first conditioning process comprises at least one of compromising a structural integrity of the iron oxide within the scale layer to thereby expose the alloy oxide to chemical engagement via disposition onto the scale layer and through the compromised structural integrity of the iron oxide, and exposing the alloy oxide to chemical engagement via disposition onto the scale layer via removal of iron oxide components from the scale layer;
• disposing onto the scale layer that is conditioned via the first conditioning process an aqueous alkali salt solution, and thereby into engagement with the alloy oxide that is exposed to chemical engagement;
• heating the disposed aqueous alkali salt solution to at least 288 degrees Celsius (550 degrees Fahrenheit), said heating transforming at least one alkali salt within the disposed aqueous alkali salt solution into a quasi-molten form, wherein an anhydrous form of the molten at least one alkali salt comprises, by weight:
• 85% potassium hydroxide (KOH);
• 7.5% sodium nitrate (NaNO3);
• and
• 7.5% sodium chloride (NaCl);
• oxidizing, via reaction with the quasi molten form of the at least one alkali salt and with water within the disposed aqueous alkali salt solution, the alloy oxide to form at least one water soluble alkali alloy compound;
• rinsing with water the surface of the advanced high strength steel product, the water dissolving the at least one water soluble alkali alloy compound and rinsing the dissolved the at least one water soluble alkali alloy compound from the surface of the advanced high strength steel product, the rinsing thereby leaving a film of iron oxide on the surface of the advanced high strength steel product;
• and
• pickling the surface of the advanced high strength steel product via a final pickling process to remove the iron oxide film layer from the surface of the advanced high strength steel product.