Original scientific paper
Authors
The characteristics of nickel coatings obtained by electrodeposition on steel samples of known chemical composition were investigated, with a focus on the effects of current density and deposition time on the cathodic current efficiency, coating thickness, hardness, and adhesion. Nickel coatings were deposited onto steel samples from three baths, based on the Watts electrolyte: 30–50 g/dm3 NiCl2·6H2O, 15–30 g/dm3 H3BO3, and 200–250 g/dm3 NiSO4·7H2O. In Bath 1, in addition to the standard Watts electrolyte, basic additive 302 (5 cm3/dm3), wetting additive 304 (8 cm3/dm3), and ductility additive 305 (12 cm3/dm3) were added to the standard Watts electrolyte. Compared to Bath 1, Baths 2 and 3 contained brightness agents. In Bath 2, a high-brightness additive 301 (0.5 cm3/dm3) was added, while Bath 3 contained sulfosalicylic acid (0.5 cm3/dm3). The commercial additives used in the study were supplied by “Protekta”, Belgrade. Electrochemical nickel coatings were deposited for 10, 15, and 20 min at current densities of 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 A/dm2, at a bath temperature of 42 °C. It was observed that increasing the current density and deposition time increased the cathodic current efficiency and resulted in thicker nickel coatings. Under the same deposition conditions, nickel coatings of approximately the same thickness were obtained from all three baths, indicating that brightness additives do not significantly affect the thickness of electrochemical nickel coatings, but influenced coating compactness and brightness. Nickel coatings obtained from all three baths showed good adhesion to the steel substrate.
Keywords: nickel coatings, electrochemical deposition, roughness, current efficiency, hardness, adhesion
How to Cite: Spasojević, S. , Vučićević, S. , Stanišić, S. , Jovičić, D. , Ristić, Z. , Mitrović, M. , Vasiljević, N. & Tomić, M. (2025) “Deposition of bright electrochemical nickel coatings on steel”, Journal of Engineering & Processing Management. 17(2).