An electrochemical method of determining the porosity of brass coatings on low carbon steel

The present paper describes an electrochemical method of determining the porosity of thin brass coatings by measuring the rate of change in polarization conductance of the system: brass coating—steel substrate—electrolyte. A theoretical explanation of the electrochemical principle of the method is offered. The influence of different factors of the electroplating process, such as pulse current frequency and the presence of a specific additive in the electrolyte, on the porosity of brass coatings has been investigated.

Plating conditions under which coatings have minimum porosity are established. There is a close correlation between porosity parameters obtained by this method and rubber adhesion of brass coatings deposited on steel wires.