Microstructure and Performances of Nanocrystalline Zinc-nickel Alloy Coatings

Nanocrystalline zinc-nickel alloy coatings were deposited from an alkaline zincate bath contained an organic additive that can reduce polarization and a complexing agent. SEM and TEM observations and XRD analysis were performed to examine the microstructure and phase composition of the coatings. The nickel content in deposits is 12.0-14.7% and the coating is consisted of single nanocrystalline y-phase structure (Ni5Zn2i), with grain average grain size about 15nm. The nanocrystalline zinc-nickel alloy coatings have better corrosion resistance, less bnttleness and higher microhardness than the conventional zinc coatings.