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Process and performance of electroless nickel plating on AZ91D magnesium alloy

Zhongcai Shao (School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang Ligong University, Shenyang, China)
Feifei Zhang (School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang Ligong University, Shenyang, China)
Zhiqiang Cai (School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang Ligong University, Shenyang, China)
Rong Hu (School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang Ligong University, Shenyang, China)

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials

ISSN: 0003-5599

Article publication date: 6 March 2017

219

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the investigation was to research the best process of electroless nickel (EN) plating on AZ91D magnesium alloy and the performance of EN plating coating.

Design/methodology/approach

Through single factor test and orthogonal test, EN plating on AZ91D magnesium alloy was researched. The plating rate and porosity were analyzed. The coating appearance of EN plating coating and magnesium alloy substrate was evaluated. The electrochemical properties of EN plating coating and substrate were researched using electrochemical workstation, and their compositions and structure were examined using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.

Findings

The results made by combination of experimental and orthogonal test showed that the best formula of EN plating was 8.8 g·L−1 nickel ion, 25 g·L−1 lactic acid, 28 g·L−1 reducing agent, 1.8 ml·L−1 corrosion inhibitor, 1 mg·L−1 stabilizer, temperature at 85°C and pH value at 5.5. The plating was uniform, dense and with no cracks. The electrochemical tests showed that the corrosion resistance of EN plating was better than that of magnesium alloy substrate.

Originality/value

The results indicated that the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy improved markedly after EN plating at the best formula and the plating covered magnesium alloy completely.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Liaoning Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 201602648).

Citation

Shao, Z., Zhang, F., Cai, Z. and Hu, R. (2017), "Process and performance of electroless nickel plating on AZ91D magnesium alloy", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 64 No. 2, pp. 162-169. https://doi.org/10.1108/ACMM-03-2015-1513

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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