Structure and effects of electroless Ni-Sn-P transition layer during acid electroless plating on magnesium alloys

An electroless ternary Ni-Sn-P transition layer with high corrosion resistance was applied for acid electroless nickel plating on magnesium alloys. The surface morphologies and microstructure of the traditional alkaline electroless Ni-P and novel Ni-Sn-P transition layers were compared by SEM and XRD, and the bonding strengths between the transition layers and AZ31 magnesium alloys were tested. The corrosion resistance of the samples was analyzed by porosity test, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy（EIS） in acid electroless solution at p H 4.5 and immersion test in 10% HCl. The results indicate that the transition layer is essential for acid electroless plating Ni-P coatings on magnesium alloys. Under the same thin thickness（-6 μm）, the electroless Ni-Sn-P transition layer possesses superior properties to the traditional Ni-P transition layer, including high amorphization, smooth and dense surface without pores, enhanced bonding strength and corrosion resistance. Most importantly, acid electroless Ni-P coatings can be successfully deposited on magnesium alloys by using Ni-Sn-P transition layer.

Microstructure and electrical conductivity of electroless copper plating layer on magnesium alloy micro-arc oxidation coating

In order to impart electrical conductivity to the magnesium alloy micro-arc oxidation(MAO)coating,the electroless copper plating was performed.Effects of plating temperature and complexing agent concentration on the properties of the electroless copper plating layers were studied by measuring their microstructure,corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity.It was found that the optimized plating temperature was 60°C,and the most suitable value of the complexing agent concentration was 30 g/L.Under this condition,a complete and dense plating layer could be obtained.The formation mechanism of the plating layer on magnesium alloy MAO coating was analyzed.A three-stage model of the plating process was proposed.The square resistance of the plated specimen was finally reduced to 0.03Ω/□after the third stage.Through electroless copper plating,the MAO coated sample obtained excellent electrical conductivity without significantly reducing its corrosion resistance.

Corrosion and wear properties of electroless Ni-P plating layer on AZ91D magnesium alloy

A direct electroless Ni-P plating treatment was applied to AZ91D magnesium alloy for improving its corrosion resistance and wear resistance. Corrosion resistance of the Ni-P coatings was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization and immersing experiments in 3.5% NaCl solution. The wear resistance of the coatings was investigated by the wear track and the mass change after ball-on-disk experiment. The results show that corrosion resistance and wear resistance of the AZ91D alloy are greatly improved after direct electroless Ni-P plating. No discoloration is noticed until 4 d of immersion in 3.5% NaCl solution. Potentiodynamic polarization experiments show that the free corrosion potential of magnesium alloy is shifted from -1 500 mV to -250 mV and passivation occurs at 1 350 mV after direct electroless plating. The friction coefficients and wear rates of Ni-P coating and Ni-P coating after tempering are 0.10-0.351, 9.038×10-3 mm3/m and 0.13-0.177, 3.056×10-4 mm3/m, respectively, at a load of 1.5 N with dry sliding. Although minor hurt on corrosion resistance was caused, significant improvement of wear resistance was obtained after tempering treatment of the coating.

Electroless Ni-P plating on Mg-Li alloy by two-step method

Pretreated Mg-Li alloy sheets were pre-plated in a NiCO3？2Ni（OH）2？4H2O solution to form a thin Ni-P alloy film and then plating in a NiSO4？6H2O solution was carried out to obtain a protective coating.The surface morphology,structure and corrosion resistance of the coating were studied.The results showed that a flat,bright and compact plating layer,which was integrated into the matrix metal,was obtained.The P content of the Ni-P coating reached 13.56%（mass fraction）.The hardness value of the Ni-P coating was about HV 549.The polarization curve showed that the corrosion potential of the Ni-P coating reached ？0.249 V（vs SCE）.A long passivation region was found on the polarization curve,and this phenomenon indicated that the coating has an excellent anti-corrosion property.

Research of Kinetics of Electroless Ni-Cu-P Alloy Plating on Polyester Fabric

All the variables that may affect the Ni-Cu-P alloy deposition rate on polyester fabric were studied , and the activation energy and the reaction orders were determined. The deposition rate equation was also derived.

Chromium Electroplating of Aluminium Alloys Using Electroless Nickel as Underlayer

The growing demand for chromium coated aluminium components especially for the automotive industry is due to their favourable physical properties (density, strength to weight ratio etc.). However, their frequent use under harsh environmental conditions renders them corrosion sensitive and consequently they need to be protected. An approach that has been applied in industry is to directly electroplate nickel onto aluminium substrate prior to a top metallic finish;however, in components with complex geometry, certain areas could become exposed to corrosion attack due to poor surface coverage during plating. In this study, a modified electroless nickel undercoat was applied to pre-treated aluminium alloys prior to duplex nickel and chromium plating with a view to enhance corrosion resistance, improve coating adherence and durability, and overall, to achieve substrate protection. Hexavalent and trivalent chromium were applied to pre-treated Al 1050 and Al 6061 following electroless nickel deposition, and plating performance was assessed by surface and corrosion techniques, while durability was measured by scratch, adhesion and hardness tests. Overall, while chromium plating with an electroless nickel undercoat did not improve corrosion resistance or hardness of the materials, it provided an additional protective layer for the substrate with a potential for longer term durability.

Electroplating zinc transition layer for electroless nickel plating on AM60 magnesium alloys

Electroplating zinc coating as transition layer of electroless nickel plating on AM60 magnesium alloys was investigated. The zinc film can be deposited in a pyrophosphate bath at 50-60℃under current density of 0.5-1.5 A/dm2. A new fore treatment technology was applied by acid cleaning with a solution containing molybdate and phosphorous acid, by alkaline cleaning in a bath containing molybdate and sodium hydroxide. The subsequent electroless plating was carried out in nickel sulfate bath. The SEM observation shows that the deposition is uniform and compact. The polarization curve measurements show that the corrosion potential of the zinc plating in 3.5% NaCl is about -1.3 V(vs SCE) which is noble than that of magnesium substrate. The zinc electroplating can be applied as the pretreatment process for electroless nickel plating on magnesium alloys.

Electroless plating and growth kinetics of Ni-P alloy film on SiC_p/Al composite with high SiC volume fraction

After Sn/Pd activating, the SiCp/Al composite with 65% SiC (volume fraction) was coated by electroless Ni?P alloy plating. Surface morphology of the composite and its effect on the Ni?P alloy depositing process and bonding action of Ni and P atoms in the Ni?P alloy were studied. The results show that inhomogeneous distribution of the Sn/Pd activating points results in preferential deposition of the Ni?P alloy particles on the Al alloy and rough SiC particle surfaces and in the etched caves. The Ni?P alloy film has an amorphous structure where chemical bonding between Ni and P atoms exists. After a continuous Ni?P alloy film formed, electroless Ni?P alloy plating is not affected by surface morphology and characteristics of the SiCp/Al composite any longer, but by the electroless plating process itself. The Ni?P alloy film follows linear growth kinetics with an activation energy of 68.44 kJ/mol.

Homogenization pretreatment and electroless Ni-P plating on AZ91D magnesium alloy

Electroless nickel plating on AZ91D substrate with a new and eco-friendly pretreatment process based on tuning an electrochemical homogeneous surface was investigated. The morphology, deposition process, chemical composition and microstructure of Ni-P coating were studied. It is indicated that β phases are selectively removed, producing a microstructural homogeneous surface and the subsequent uniform and compact Zn immersion layer. A defect-free and well adhesive Ni-P coating can be successfully obtained due to its uniform nucleation and growth based on such pretreatment. Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS） tests reveal that Ni-P coating could significantly improve the corrosion resistance of AZ91D substrate.

The study of electroless Ni-W-P alloy plating on glass fibers

Ni-W-P coatings were deposited on the surface of glass fibers by the electroless plating process. The bath was very stable through the palladium salt test. There was no phenomenon of peeling and blistering on the surface of the Ni-W-P alloy glass fibers in the thermal shock test. It showed that the deposit had high impact strength and good adhesion. The morphology of the coatings was observed by scanning electron microscope （SEM）. The elements and their contents were tested and analyzed by energy dispersion spectrometer （EDS）. The tungsten content reached up to 12.1 wt.%. The effects of the concentrations of NiSO4, Na2WO4, and NaH2PO2.H20 on the conductivity of the coatings were studied. The resistivity of the Ni-W-P alloy glass fibers reached 7.39 × 10^-3 Ωcm. The alloy coatings on glass fibers were analyzed by XRD. The results indicated that the deposit had an amorphous structure and good heat stability. The suitable work temperature range was lower than 190℃. Finally, the electromagnetic parameters of the Ni-W-P alloy glass fibers were tested and analyzed primarily. The magnetic loss reached 0.04023 and the dielectric loss reached -5.80239. The plated alloy is a kind of soft magnetic material.

Progress of electroplating and electroless plating on magnesium alloy

The current research processes of electroplating and electroless Ni-P alloy plating on magnesium alloys were reviewed. Theoretically,the reason for difficulties in electroplating and electroless plating on magnesium alloys was given.The zinc immersion, copper immersion,direct electroless Ni-P alloy plating and electroplating and electroless plating on magnesium alloys prepared by chemical conversion coating were presented in detail.Especially,the research development of magnesium alloy AZ91 and AZ31 was discussed briefly.Based on the analysis,the existing problems and future research directions were then given.

Effect of Heat Treatment on Structure and Magnetic Performance of Ni-Fe-P Alloy Obtained by Electroless Plating

The electroless deposition of Ni68-Fe10.5-P21.5 alloy has been investigated. The crystallization behavior of the deposit was comparatively studied by using differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffractometry. The deposit transforms into a square Ni3P phase at 380. 0 ℃, then changes into a cubic FeNi3 phase at 490. 0 ℃. The microhardness, the size of the formed grains and the magnetic performance of the deposit increase with the increase of the heat treatment temperature below 500 ℃, then they decrease after this temperature. The effect of heat treatment time at 500 ℃ on the surface micromorphology, the structure and the magnetic performance of the deposit were also studied. The resuits show that with the increase of heat treatment time, the extent of crystallization of the deposit increases and the size of the formed grains becomes uniform. The results also show that the magnetic performance of the deposit under heat treatment for 40 min is maximal and then decreases with the increase of heat treatment time. The property change of the deposit is related to the crystal structure and the size of the formed grains of the deposit.

Influence of pH values on electroless Ni-P-SiC plating on AZ91D magnesium alloy

A novel Ni-P-SiC composite coating was prepared by electroless plating in order to improve the corrosion capacity and wear resistance of AZ91D magnesium alloy.The influence of pH values on deposition rates and properties of the coatings was studied.The microstructure and phase structure of the Ni-P-SiC coatings were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and X-ray diffractometry(XRD).The corrosion and wear resistance performances of the coatings were also investigated through electrochemical technique and pin-on-disk tribometer,respectively.The results indicate that the composite coating is composed of Ni, P and SiC.It exhibits an amorphous structure and good adhesion to the substrate.The coatings have higher open circuit potential than that of the substrate.The composite coating obtained at pH value of 5.2 possesses optimal integrated properties,which shows similar corrosion resistance and ascendant wear resistance properties to the substrate.

PRIMARY STUDY FOR THE TECHNOLOGY OF ELECTROLESS PLATING Fe-Al-P ALLOYS

Manuscript received 24 June 1999 The Fe Al P alloy deposits were plated on copper sheets by electroless plating. The change law of the deposition rate, composition, surface appearance and structure for the deposits was studied by changing the metallic salt ratios (AlCl 3/AlCl 3+FeSO 4), the concentration of metallic salt AlCl 3 and reductant NaH 2PO 2. The optimum plating bath was obtained. It was found that the choices of ligand and reductant were the key of increasing Al content for the deposits.

Electrochemical behavior of Cu-Zn-Al shape memory alloy after surface modification by electroless plated Ni-P

The electrochemical behavior of Cu-Zn-Al shape memory alloy (SMA) with andwithout electroless plated Ni-P was investigated by electrochemical methods, in artificial Tyrode'ssolution. The results showed that Cu-Zn-Al SMA engendered dezincification corrosion in Tyrode'ssolution. The anodic active current densities as well as electrochemical dissolution sensitivity ofthe electroless plated Ni-P Cu-Zn-Al SMA increased with NaCl concentration rising, pH of solutiondecreasing and environmental temperature uprising. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that aftersurface modification by electroless plated Ni-P, an amorphous plated film formed on the surface ofCu-Zn-Al SMA. This film can effectively isolate matrix metal from corrosion media and significantlyimprove the electrochemical property of Cu-Zn-Al SMA in artificial Tyrode's solution.

Effect of electroless plating nickel treatment on electrode properties of Zr-based AB_2 type alloy

An electroless plating nickel treatment was processed to improve the active behaviors and discharge capacities of Zr based AB 2 alloys. The effects of the nickel coating on the surface appearance, the structure of the alloy powders and the electrode characteristics were investigated. It is found that the Ni rich layer formed through electroless plating nickel treatment plays an important role on the initial activation property and the discharge capacity of Zr based alloy. The optimal content of electroless plating nickel is about 15%, and the discharge capacity of the electrode can be increased to 400?mA·h·g -1 after 6 cycles. Although coated nickel is beneficial for quick activation and discharge capacity, excessive electroless plating nickel can result in a decreased discharge capacity.

Modified Layer-Removal Method for Measurement of Residual Stress in Pre-stretched Aluminium Alloy Plate

Residual stress is one of the factors affecting the machining deformation of monolithic structure parts in the aviation industry. Thus, the studies on machining deformation rules induced by residual stresses largely depend on correctly and efficiently measuring the residual stresses of workpieccs. A modified layer-removal method is proposed to measure residual stress by analysing the characteristics of a traditional, layer-removal method. The coefficients of strain release are then deduced according to the simulation results using the finite element method （FEM）. Moreover, the residual stress in a 7075T651 aluminium alloy plate is measured using the proposed method, and the results are then analyzed and compared with the data obtained by the traditional methods. The analysis indicates that the modified layer-removal method is effective and practical for measuring the residual stress distribution in pre-stretched aluminium alloy plates.

Electrolessly Plated Ni-Zn(Fe)-P Alloy and Its Corrosion Resistance Properties

The autocatalytic deposition of Ni-Zn(Fe)-P alloys has been carried out on substrate of carbon steel from a bath containing nickel sulfate, zinc sulfate, sodium hypophosphite, sodium citrate and boric acid. The effects of pH and the molar ratio of NiSO_4/ZnSO_4 on the deposition rate and the composition of deposits have been studied. It was found that the presence of zinc sulfate in the bath has an inhibitory effect on the alloy deposition. The structure and the surface morphology of Ni-Zn(Fe)-P coatings were characterized with XRD and SEM, respectively. The alloys plated under the experimental conditions consisted of an amorphous phase coexisting with a crystalline cubic Ni phase(poly-crystalline). The surface morphology of the coating is dependent on the deposition parameters. The corrosion resistance of the Ni-Zn(Fe)-P deposits was examined via mass loss tests and anodic polarization measurements, respectively. The results show that the surface morphologies of the deposits and the corrosion resistance of the deposits have been improved. The results of mass loss tests almost accord with those of anodic polarization measurements. The corrosion mechanisms of Ni-Zn(Fe)-P alloys in ~NaCl and NaOH solutions were investigated by means of EDX. The deposit immersed in an NaCl or an NaOH solution contains more content of oxygen and less contents of the metals(except Fe) than that placed in air, which shows that the NaCl or NaOH solution can accelerate the oxidation of the deposit.

Effects of Mm(NiCoAlMn)_5 hydrogen storage alloy coated with Ni-Co-P alloy by electroless plating on electrochemical properties of hydride electrodes

The effect of chemical plating with Ni Co P alloy on the properties of MH electrodes is investigated. The results show that the efficiency of storage alloy and the activation of MH electrode have been improved by introducing 1.74% cobalt in the Ni Co P alloy coating. The initial discharge capacity is 208 mAh/g. The maximum discharge capacity gets to 298.5 mAh/g. At the same time the cycle life of MH electrodes is improved. The discharge capacity of MH electrodes coated with Ni Co P is 88% of the maximum discharge capacity after 300 cycles. Whereas the discharge capacity of bare alloy electrodes retains 62% of the maximum capacity after 300 cycles. An increment of discharge capacity is mainly due to the superposition of the oxidation current of Co as well as improved efficiency of microcurrent collection. The effect of Ni Co P alloy coating by electroless plating on the kinetic properties of hydride electrode has been systematically investigated by electrochemical techniques. The results indicate that the kinetic properties of MH electrodes, including exchange current density, limiting current density, have been improved markedly. This improvement of kinetic properties leads to the decrease of the overpotential of anodic and cathodic polarization.

Process of electroless plating Cu-Sn-Zn ternary alloy

Cu-Sn-Zn ternary alloy layer with 10 μm thickness was prepared through electroless plating method. The influences of process conditions including the concentration of metallic salts, reductant and complex agent on Cu-Sn-Zn alloy were studied in details. The stability to bear color changes and corrosion resistance of Cu-Sn-Zn film layer were studied through air-exposure experiment and electrochemical analyses test respectively. The results show that the performances of Cu-Sn-Zn film layer are obviously superior to brass matrix. By use of SEM,EDS and XRD, the morphology, microstructure and chemical composition were investigated. The results show that complex agent can increase the content of Sn and Zn, improve the evenness and compactness and decrease needle holes, therefore the properties of electroless plating layer such as the stability to bear color changes and corrosion resistance are improved remarkably. The probable mechanism of complex agent was discussed.