Abstract:
The effect of superimposing a sinusoidal alternating current on a direct current during electrodeposition of Ni-Fe alloys is disclosed in terms of the following factors: (a) maintaining the pH at the electrode equal to that of the bulk electrolyte; (b) ionic diffusion processes; and (c) chemical processes in solution prior to electrochemical reduction. The effect of frequency, amplitude and the rate of a-c current to d-c current on the composition of electrodeposited alloy are given for acid solutions of different pH and for alkaline solutions of metallic complexes with a variable concentration of complexing agent. It is shown that by proper choice of conditions, electrodeposited Fe-Ni alloys can be prepared with a desired uniform composition throughout their thickness. In the practice of this disclosure, alternating current is superimposed on direct current to prevent the pH in the layer of solution adjacent to the electrode from increasing and thus influence the electrodeposition of iron group metals or alloys of any metals which readily form hydroxide. Formation of hydroxides is thus prevented and their inclusion into deposited film is precluded. Additionally, the a-c current beneficially affects the rate of deposition of a metal which is controlled by diffusion. There is no concentration gradient of composition across the thickness of a film of Ni-Fe deposited by practice of this disclosure. Illustratively, Ni and Fe plate out at the same rate for thickness of film approximately in the range of 300A. to 4,000A. By control of the density of the d-c current, and the amplitude and frequency of the a-c current, Ni-Fe film of any given composition approximately in the range of 6 to 60 percent Fe is electroplated from the same solution.
Abstract:
1,176,124. Coating with metals. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP. Jan.8, 1968 [Jan.13, 1967], No.1038/68. Heading C7F. In the electroless deposition of a metal coating on a polymer, the surface is coated with a constituent monomer of the polymer, the monomer polymerized, and coated with a reducible metal salt, the monomer acting as a reducing agent for the metal salt. In an example a urea formaldehyde substrate is soaked in nitric acid, rinsed, dipped in formaldehyde, dried to polymerize the coating, and then the coatings is depolymerized in the presence of a metal salt which may be palladium, gold or nickel chloride or nickel, cobalt. or copper sulphate. The metal salt is reduced during this process. The substrate is then coated with Ni, Co, Cu, Pd or Ni-Fe, Ni-Co, or Ni-W-P alloys. Examples of both alkali and acid electroless nickel plating baths are desinked. The coating may be subsequently electro-plated.