Electrodeposition behavior of zinc–nickel–iron alloys from sulfate bath

The present work is directed at collecting the properties of Zn–Ni and Zn–Fe alloys in one alloy via the electrodeposition of Zn–Ni–Fe ternary alloy. Electrodeposition of ternary Zn–Ni–Fe alloy was investigated and compared with the characteristics of Zn–Ni electrodeposits. The electrodeposition was performed from a sulfate bath onto a steel substrate. Structural analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD) method revealed that the Zn–Ni–Fe alloys consisted of a mixture of zinc, and (γ-Ni₂Zn₁₁) and (Fe₃Ni₂) phases. The study was carried out using electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic for electrodeposition, while anodic linear polarization resistance and anodic linear sweeping voltammetry techniques were used for the corrosion study. Surface morphology and chemical composition of the deposits were also examined by using scanning electron microscopy and atomic absorption spectroscopy, respectively. It was found that the obtained Zn–Ni–Fe alloy exhibited more preferred surface appearance and better corrosion resistance without adding any organic brighteners to the plating bath in comparison to Zn–Ni alloy that electrodeposited at similar conditions. Results obtained revealed that the increase in corrosion resistance of ternary deposits is not only attributed to the formation of (γ-Ni₂Zn₁₁) phase, but also to iron codeposition and formation of (Fe₃Ni₂) phase.