Inhibition by magnetic fields of the growth of zinc dendrites from alkaline zincate baths

Abstract

Crystals of electrodeposited zinc films were observed directly and indirectly by metallurgical microscopy. The quantity of electricity used in the deposition was 18 C cm -2, the current density ranged from 1.0 to 10.0 A dm -2 and the magnetic flux density ranged from 0 to 0.125 T. The temperature of the test solutions ranged from 5 to 60 °C. The growth of dendrites was inhibited by the magnetic fields. Compared with the efficiencies in the absence of the magnetic field, the cathodic efficiency increased by about 5% – 10% and the anodic efficiency decreased by about 5% – 10%.