Electrochemical deposition of Ni on an Al-Cu alloy

Metallic coatings can be used to improve the wear and corrosion resistance of Al alloys. In this study, Ni was used as a candidate material for such a coating which was applied on the surface of Al 2014 alloy using electrodeposition in a standardWatt's bath. A two-step heat treatment procedure was employed that served to increase the adhesion as well as hardness of Ni. Deposition was undertaken for different durations using both galvanostatic and potentiostatic techniques. The effect of deposition parameters such as surface finish, current, potential, temperature, pH level and duration on the microstructure, adhesion, and surface properties of the Ni deposit was studied. Materials characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and x-ray diffraction. Cross-sectional scanning transmission electron microscope images revealed the fine-grained (10 nm) structure of Ni initially deposited at the Ni-Al alloy substrate. Microhardness, adhesion, and corrosion behavior of the Ni deposit were evaluated. Experimental results indicate that deposition by galvanostatic technique on 1 lm surface finish at 45°C with a pH level maintained at 3.6 represented the optimum conditions to generate a uniform Ni deposit on Al 2014. It was concluded that Ni deposition can be used to improve the surface properties of Al alloys.