Microthrowing power of electrolytes for the deposition of nickel-iron alloys. II. Levelling effect of iron in nickel-iron electrolytes and its microdistribution in the alloy coating

Abstract

Investigations were aimed at demonstrating and clarifying the levelling effect of the iron component in a saccharin-containing nickel-iron alloy plating electrolyte. The results provide evidence that levelling probably follows the adsorbtion-diffusion mechanism proposed by Kardos and Foulke, as well as by Edwards and Watson. Microprobe analysis shows that the microdistribution of iron in the alloy deposit is not uniform, its content being higher in the alloy plated on the micropeaks of the cathode profile. A quantitative evaluation of the non-uniform distribution of iron is proposed and a linear empirical relationship has been established between this calculated value and levelling determined by profilometric measurements.