Electrochemical studies of Zn–Ni alloy coatings from non-cyanide alkaline bath containing tartrate as complexing agent

The Zn–Ni alloys have been electro-deposited from a non-cyanide alkaline bath containing tartrate as a complexing agent for Ni2+ ions. A water soluble polymer is used as a brightener. It was prepared by the reaction of epiclorohydrin with hexamethylenetetramine and mercaptobenzimidazol. Its effect on co-deposition process was examined. It was found that adding brightener in plating bath has a great effect on the cyclic voltammogram and galvanostatic measurements during the electrodeposition. Under the examined conditions, the electrodeposition of the alloys was of anomalous type. X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that the alloys consisted δ-phase (Ni3Zn22). The composition and morphology of the deposits were also studied by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive analysis X-ray (EDAX), respectively. The effect of optimum plating bath conditions on the corrosion resistance is studied by Tafel polarization.