Katarzyna Wykpis

The electrodeposition and properties of Zn-Ni + Ni composite coatings

The Zn-Ni+Ni coatings were deposited under galvanostatic conditions at the current density range from 20 to 60 mA cm−2. The influence of deposition current density on surface morphology, chemical and phase composition and corrosion resistance of obtained coatings, was investigated. Structural investigations were conducted by X-ray diffraction method. Surface morphology and surface chemical composition of the obtained coatings were determined by a scanning electron microscope. Studies of electrochemical corrosion resistance were carried out in the 5% NaCl solution, using potentiodynamic and Scanning Kelvin Probe (SKP) methods. A possibility of incorporation of nickel powder from a suspension bath to the Zn-Ni matrix, during galvanostatic deposition was demonstrated. The results of chemical composition analysis show that the Zn-Ni + Ni coatings contain approximately 15–18% at Ni. It was found that surface morphology, surface chemical and phase composition of Zn-Ni + Ni coatings depend in small degree on deposition current density. However, the current density influences distribution of nickel powder on the surface of these coatings. The optimal values of current density on account of corrosion resistance, are found to be j = 40–50 mA cm−2.

The Influence of Sodium Molybdate on the Properties of Zn-Ni Layers Obtained by Electrolytic Deposition

This study was undertaken in the aim to try the limit of extraction of Zn from Zn-Ni system. The aim was realized by the addition of MoO42- ions into the galvanic bath containing Ni2+ and Zn2+ ions. Zn-Ni-Mo layers were deposited under galvanostatic conditions on (OH18N9) austenitic steel substrate. The influence of Na2MoO4 concentration in a bath on the surface morphology, chemical and phase composition and the corrosion resistance of obtained layers, was investigated. The properties of Zn-Ni-Mo layers were compared to the properties of electrolytic Zn-Ni layer. Structural investigations were performed by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. The surface morphology and chemical composition and surface chemical elements distribution of deposited layers were studied using a scanning electron microscope. Electrochemical corrosion resistance investigations were done by classical Stern method and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The potentiodynamic curves in the range of  0.05V to the potential of open circuit, were obtained. On the base of these curves the parameters like corrosion potential- Ecor, corrosion current density- icor and the polarization resistance- Rp were determined. These values served as a measure of the corrosion resistance of obtained layers. Results of impedance investigations were presented on the Nyquist Z”= f (Z’) and the Bode log Z = f (log) and  = f (log), diagrams. On the basis on this research, it was exhibited that surface morphology, chemical composition of Zn-Ni-Mo layers are dependent on Mo contents. The optimal content of Na2MoO4 in the bath for the sake of corrosion resistance in 5% NaCl, is found to be 1.2 gdm-3.

Influence of thermal treatment on the corrosion resistance of electrolytic Zn–Ni+Ni composite coatings

This study was undertaken in order to obtain and characterize the corrosion resistance of Zn–Ni+Ni composite coatings. The influence of thermal treatment on surface morphology, phase composition, and corrosion resistance of Zn–Ni+Ni coating was investigated. The Zn–Ni+Ni coating was deposited under galvanostatic conditions (j = 40 mA cm−2). Thermal treatment was carried out in argon atmosphere. The surface morphology of Zn–Ni+Ni coatings was carried using a scanning electron microscope (JEOL JSM-6480) and the surface chemical composition was determined by the EDS method. Structural investigations were conducted by X-ray diffraction method. The studies of electrochemical corrosion resistance were carried out in a 5% NaCl solution, using potentiodynamic and scanning vibrating electrode (SVET) methods. On the grounds of corrosion investigations, it was stated that thermal treatment improves both total and localized corrosion resistance of Zn–Ni+Ni coating in a 5% NaCl water solution. The higher corrosion resistance of the thermally treated Zn–Ni+Ni coating could be attributed to the increase in the amount of zinc bonded to nickel in the form of Ni2Zn11 and Ni5Zn21 intermetallic phases. The SVET analysis indicated that thermal treatment of Zn–Ni+Ni coating causes a decrease in the number of corrosion centers on their surface area.

Influence of thermal treatment on the corrosion resistance of electrolytic Zn-Ni coatings

This study was undertaken in order to obtain and characterize the corrosion resistance of Zn-Ni coating. The process was carried out under galvanostatic conditions (j = 50 mA·cm−2) chosen on the ground of an analysis of the deposition process in the Hull’s cell. The Zn-Ni coatings were deposited on austenitic (OH18N9) steel substrate from the ammonia bath. Thermal treatment of Zn-Ni coating was carried out in argon atmosphere. Structural investigations were conducted by X-ray diffraction method. Surface morphology of the obtained coatings was determined using a scanning electron microscope (JEOL JSM-6480) with EDS attachment. The electrochemical corrosion resistance of the prepared Zn-Ni coatings, austenitic (OH18N9) and (St3S) steels, was defined. The studies of electrochemical corrosion resistance were carried out in 5 % NaCl, using potentiodynamic and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods. Examinations of localized corrosion resistance were conducted using scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET). On the grounds of these investigations it was found that Zn-Ni coating after thermal treatment was more corrosion resistant than the Zn-Ni coating before thermal treatment. The relatively good corrosion resistance of Zn-Ni coatings is not as high as the resistance of (OH18N9) steel substrate, but higher compared to (St3S) steel. Therefore, the Zn-Ni coatings may be regarded as a protective coating for St3S steel.

Structure and Properties of Electrolytic Zn-Mn Coatings Deposited by the Galvanostatic Method

The Zn-Mn coatings were deposited under galvanostatic conditions from a sulfate galvanic bath. The influence of thiocarbamide additions in the bath on surface morphology, chemical and phase composition and corrosion resistance of the electrolytic Zn-Mn coatings was investigated. On the basis of these investigations it was found that Zn-Mn coatings can be obtained by the galvanostatic method. Morphology and chemical composition of the electrolytic Zn-Mn coatings depend on the thiocarbamide concentration in the galvanic bath. XRD investigations of obtained coatings showed a single phase structure (α-Mn1.08Zn2.92). The additions of thiocarbamide improve the protective properties of the Zn-Mn coatings.

The Production and Properties of Electrolytic Zn-Ni Layers Deposited by Pulse Current Method

The Zn-Ni layers were obtained by electrolytic method in the conditions of pulse current with symmetric current pause. The austenitic steel (OH18N9) was used as the cathode. The morphology, phase and surface chemical composition of the layers deposited at reduction current densities ic = 5 – 25 mAcm2, were defined. The surface morphology of deposited layers and surface chemical elements distribution were studied using a scanning electron microscope (JEOL JSM-6480). On the basis on this research, the possibility of deposition of Zn-Ni layers contained about 8 – 10 % at. Ni was exhibited. The optimal pulse current condition of Zn-Ni layers deposition were proposed namely ic=20mA•cm2, ton = toff = 2ms. It was stated, that surface chemical composition of Zn-Ni layers is independent on pulse current densities of deposition, whereas development of Zn-Ni surface increases with the increase in the pulse current density of deposition. The corrosion resistance investigations showed that passivation and heat treatment improved the corrosion resistance of Zn-Ni layers in 5% NaCl solution. Higher corrosion resistance of heated Zn-Ni layers is caused by the creation of Ni5Zn21 intermetallic phase. Moreover the heated Zn-Ni layers are characterized by slightly higher corrosion resistance compared with metallic Cd. Microhardness of the layers was investigated by Vickers diamond testing machine.