Corrosion protection of 6061 Al-15 Vol. Pct. SiC(p) composite using a biopolymer- An electrochemical approach

The influence of biopolymer starch as corrosion inhibitor on 6061 Al-15 vol. pct. SiC(p) composite in 0.05M hydrochloric acid was studied by potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique. The surface morphology was studied using SEM, EDX, AFM and XRD techniques. The results showed that the inhibition efficiency of starch increased with increasing inhibitor concentrations and also with increase in temperatures. Starch acted as a mixed inhibitor and underwent chemical adsorption following Langmuir adsorption isotherm.  Continue reading

Magnetic property and corrosion resistance of electrodeposited nanocrystalline cobalt-nickel alloys

In the present investigation we have galvanostatically synthesized Co-Ni nanocrystalline alloys on copper substrate. The effect of current density (c.d.) on composition, surface morphology and phase structure were studied for explaining the magnetic and corrosion resistance of the alloy. The bath found to exhibit the preferential deposition of less noble Co than Ni, and at no conditions of c.d., the deposition has changed from anomalous to normal type. Surface morphology and structural characteristics of the deposits were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. As composition of the alloy varied, consequent to the c.d. a change of hexagonal close packing structure (hcp) to face centered cubic structure (fcc) was observed. Finally, the conditions responsible for peak magnetic property and corrosion resistance were optimized. Factors responsible for improved functional properties were explained in terms of surface morphology and crystalline grain size of the coatings. Continue reading

Effect of additives and operating parameters on deposit characters of Ni-Cd alloy

The Ni-Cd alloy coating was electrodeposited on mild steel (MS) from acid chloride bath using gelatin and glycerol as additives, individually and in combination. The bath composition and operating parameters have been optimized by conventional Hull cell method. The effect of current density (c.d.) on Ni content of the alloy was studied at different molar ratio of metal ions in the bath. The effects of c.d. and temperature on thickness, hardness, and composition and corrosion rate (CR) of the coatings were studied. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) study showed that (gelatin + glycerol) has significant effect on process of deposition and (gelatin + glycerol) worked synergistically to increase the Ni content by their preferential deposition and by suppressing the deposition of more readily depositable Cd2+ ions. Ni-Cd bath having both [Ni2+]/[Cd2+] = 1.5 and 8.0 exhibited anomalous type of codeposition at all c.d.’s studied. Corrosion behavior of the coatings evaluated by electrochemical methods demonstrated that the coating from bath [Ni2+]/[Cd2+] = 15, deposited at 4.0 A dm-2  is the most corrosion resistant. The superior corrosion resistance of Ni-Cd coatings at optimal c.d. was attributed to specific Ni (111), Ni (200), Cd (200) and Ni-Cd (862) reflections, evidenced by XRD study. The surface morphology was analyzed using SEM study, and results are discussed. Continue reading

Electrochemical deposition and characterization of nanocrystalline Fe-Ni coatings

Nanocrystalline Fe-Ni coatings were electrodeposited on mild steel (MS) panels at different current densities (c.d.) from an acid sulphate electrolyte. The operating parameters were optimized for best appearance and performance of the coatings. Different techniques like Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDXA), X-Ray Diffraction, potentiodynamic polarization scan and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) were employed to characterize the electrodeposited thin films. The electrodeposition process was found to be anomalous with 35% to 70% Fe, depending on the current densities (c.d.) employed for deposition. The properties of all coatings were found to show close dependency with c.d., phase structure and composition of the alloys. Corrosion behaviors were studied in 5% HCl and 5% KOH medium and corrosion parameters were reported. Experimental results are discussed by relating the composition, phase structure and grain size with corrosion performance of the coatings in both acid and alkaline medium. Continue reading

Effect of magnetic field on current efficiency and crystal orientation of NiCo alloy using pulse electrodeposition technique

The electrodeposition of NiCo alloy has been investigated in presence of various magnetic fields. The influence of superimposed magnetic field (0-0.5T) parallel to the electrode surface on current efficiency, surface morphology, preferred crystal orientation and electrochemical activity of Ni-Co alloy were studied. The maximum current efficiency was obtained by direct current at 100mA/cm2 with 0.4T. The optimized current density (100mA/cm2) was pulsed at four different frequencies (10, 25, 50 and 100Hz) with the same magnetic field (0.4T). However, the superimposition of magnetic field significantly favors the preferred crystal orientation of (220) phase. Pulsed current deposits exhibit single orientation of (220) at lower magnetic field (0.4T) whereas direct current deposition require higher magnetic field (0.5T). Tafel plot shows that electro-catalytic activity and corrosion resistance property has improved when the deposit is having a preferred orientation of (220). Continue reading