Effect of polarization type on properties of Ni–W nanocrystalline electrodeposits

Nickel–tungsten nanocrystalline coatings were electrodeposited from a Watts type bath onto a copper substrate, at different current densities selected from activation, mixed and diffusion controlled regions in the cathodic scan plot at room temperature. The results confirm that tungsten codeposition proceeds via the adsorption and reduction of complexes produced in the bulk of solution. The coatings obtained were single phase solid solutions and their grain sizes increased with current density. A cauliflower-type surface morphology with highest hardness was obtained when the current density was in the activation controlled region. The surface morphology obtained in the mixed controlled region was distorted, and then converted to a nodular morphology in the diffusion controlled region. In the mixed control region, coatings with the highest corrosion resistance were obtained due to the lowest exchange current density for water reduction.