Electrodeposition and corrosion behavior of Zn–Ni and Zn–Ni–Fe2O3 coatings

A thin film of Zn–Ni–Fe₂O₃ on steel substrates was prepared by electrodeposition technique using Zn–Ni alloy plating solution with nano-sized Fe₂O₃ particles. The cathodic polarization and cyclic voltammetry techniques were used to explain deposition process. The corrosion behavior of deposits was evaluated by polarization and impedance studies. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images were used to study the surface morphology of coating. The grain size and amount of Fe₂O₃ particles present in composite coating were measured by X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray diffraction spectrometer (EDS), respectively.     

Perceived organisational support, job involvement and turnover intention in lean production in Sri Lanka

The literature suggests that the bottom-line changes often cited in lean implementation success stories, such as reduced inventories and faster flow times, are not the only results that should be considered. The potential detrimental effects on employees should be considered as well, or turnover and morale problems may sabotage the effectiveness of such implementations. However, the ways in which lean production environment influence employee behaviour has received scant empirical attention. The aim of this paper is to examine the mediating effect of job involvement on the relationship between perceived organisational support and turnover intention in the lean production in Sri Lanka. A random sample of 616 shop-floor employees engaged full-time in export-apparel manufacturing firms that have implemented a formal lean production system in the whole manufacturing function and it has become the standard of operation for at least 1 year in Sri Lanka responded. Regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. It was found that job involvement partially mediates the relationship between perceived organisational support and turnover intention. The findings provide useful information to better understand employee perceptions toward lean production environment and the findings will be a source of general guidance in stimulating future research in this area.     

Synergistic effect of additives on bright nanocrystalline zinc electrodeposition

The influence of additives like cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and Ethyl vanillin (EV) on zinc electrodeposition from acid sulfate bath was systematically investigated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and voltammetric techniques. The result shows the existence of interaction between CTAB and EV. They exhibited synergistic effect to produce bright nanocrystalline zinc coating on steel surface. The combined effects of these two compounds on deposition overpotential, hydrogen evolution, zinc ion diffusion, and surface coverage were discussed. The morphological and orientational changes occurred in electrodeposit were presented. Also the nucleation mechanism exhibited by zinc during electrodeposition in the presence of additive was examined.     

Synergistic effect of halide ions on improving corrosion inhibition behaviour of benzisothiozole-3-piperizine hydrochloride on mild steel in 0.5 M H2SO4 medium

The synergistic effect of iodide ions and benzisothiozole-3-piperizine hydrochloride (BITP) on corrosion inhibition of mild steel in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution has been studied by both chemical and electrochemical methods. The corrosion performance of BITP in 1.0 M HCl and 0.5 M H₂SO₄ media was examined and compared. The adsorption of BITP and its combination with iodide ions on mild steel surface followed Langmuir adsorption isotherm via chemisorption mechanism. The calculated values of synergism parameter (S_θ) were found to be greater than unity. This result clearly showed the existence of synergism between iodide ions and BITP molecules.     

Process and properties of electroless Ni–Cu–P–ZrO2 nanocomposite coatings

Electroless Ni–Cu–P–ZrO₂ composite coating was successfully obtained on low carbon steel matrix by electroless plating technique. Coatings with different compositions were obtained by varying copper as ternary metal and nano sized zirconium oxide particles so as to obtain elevated corrosion resistant Ni–P coating. Microstructure, crystal structure and composition of deposits were analyzed by SEM, EDX and XRD techniques. The corrosion behavior of the deposits was studied by anodic polarization, Tafel plots and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 3.5% sodium chloride solution. The ZrO₂ incorporated Ni–P coating showed higher corrosion resistance than plain Ni–P. The introduction of copper metal into Ni–P–ZrO₂ enhanced the protection ability against corrosion. The influence of copper metal and nanoparticles on microhardness of coatings was evaluated.