The electrodeposition of quaternary Fe–Cr–Ni–Mo alloys from the chloride-complexing agents electrolyte. Part I. Processing

Abstract

The electrodeposition of quaternary Fe–Cr–Ni–Mo alloys was investigated in a chloride electrolyte. The bath was formulated to facilitate the deposition of different alloys over a range of current density. Electrolytes containing trisodium citrate and glycolic acid complexing agents showed possible synergistic effects, which was beneficial to quaternary alloy deposition. It was observed that the chromium content of electrodeposited alloys was increased with current density while the reduction of molybdenum appeared to be associated with the induced codeposition of Ni and Mo. The Fe–Cr–Ni–Mo alloys were deposited at a potential range from −1.2 to −1.9 V (saturated calomel electrode). A scanning electron microscopy micrograph of electrodeposited quaternary alloy showed that hydroxide particles were not present on the surface and that fine-grain, smooth and compact Fe–Cr–Ni–Mo alloy deposits were obtained. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the alloy deposits revealed that the alloys were either amorphous or microcrystalline in structure.