Effects of Yb3+ on the corrosion resistance and deposition rate of electroless Ni–P deposits

Ni–P alloy coatings were deposited with the addition of Yb3+ in the electroless plating solution. The effects of Yb3+ concentration on the corrosion resistance and deposition rate of electroless Ni–P coatings were investigated. The results showed that the addition of Yb3+ could significantly improve the corrosion resistance of the coatings. When increasing Yb3+ up to 0.20 g L−1, the corrosion potential Ecorr of the electroless Ni–P coating in 3.5% NaCl solution increased from −0.381 to −0.08 V, and the corrosion current density Icorr decreased from 7.36 to 0.62 μA cm−2. At 0.20 g L−1 Yb3+, the coating could be as long as 960 h free of corrosion in the neutral salt spray. In addition, the deposition rate can also be accelerated by Yb3+ addition. The mechanisms of Yb3+ influencing on the corrosion resistance and deposition rate of electroless Ni–P coatings were discussed.