Hydrogen permeation inhibition by zinc–nickel alloy plating on steel XC68

The inhibition of hydrogen permeation and barrier effect by zinc–nickel plating was investigated using the Devanathan–Stachurski permeation technique. The hydrogen permeation and hydrogen diffusion for the zinc–nickel (12–15%) plating on steel XC68 is compared with zinc and nickel. Hydrogen permeation and hydrogen diffusion were followed as functions of time at current density applied (cathodic side) and potential permanent (anodic side). The hydrogen permeation inhibition for zinc–nickel is intermediate to that of nickel and zinc. This inhibition was due to nickel-rich layer effects at the Zn–Ni alloy/substrate interface, is shown by GDOES. Zinc–nickel plating inhibited the hydrogen diffusion greater as compared to zinc. This diffusion resistance was due to the barrier effect caused by the nickel which is present at the interface and transformed the hydrogen atomic to Ni2H compound, as shown by GIXRD.