Electrodeposition of Zinc-Nickel Alloy Coatings: Effect of Deposition Parameters on its Surface Morphology

Abstract

Zinc-Nickel alloys are widely utilized as sacrificial coatings for the protection of steel against corrosion. In this study, Zinc-Nickel electrodeposits has been produced from a chloride bath using direct current. Deposit thickness and current efficiency were determined by weight measurement method. Influence of current density on the deposition process was also investigated. Scanning Electron Microscope and Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscopes were utilised to study the morphological transformations of the deposits. Changes in morphology due to temperature and nickel content of the deposit were also investigated. The elemental composition of the coatings was determined using Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). Temperature of the bath and nickel content in the deposit had marked influence on the morphology of the deposits. It was observed that the bath exhibited anomalous deposition behaviour.