THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOSITIONALLY MODULATED ALLOYS BY SIMULATED HIGH-SPEED ELECTRODEPOSITION FROM A SINGLE SOLUTION

Simulation of high speed electrodeposition, using a rotating cylinder electrode, has been carried out in order to obtain an operating window for applied current density and cathode electrode movement as a means of agitation. The electrolyte used was based on an acid sulphate, zinc-nickel alloy. Electroplating was carried out at room temperature in the range of current density from 0.5-130 A dm(-2) and at cathode speeds of 0-1500 rpm on 99.5% purity iron tube. By assessing the deposit characteristics in terms of appearance, composition, crystal structure and corrosion resistance and correlating these results, it is possible to predict the conditions for production of compositionally modulated alloys from the simple zinc-nickel non-complexing electrolyte system.