Joint Effect of Chromium and Nickel on Surface Morphology and Preferred Crystal Orientations of Electrodeposited Iron-Based Coatings

Abstract

Structural investigations of electrodeposited binary and ternary iron-based alloys containing chromium and nickel are accomplished by the methods of scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. Joint effect of the alloying elements on the surface morphology and preferred crystal orientations in Fe-Cr-Ni alloys' coatings electrodeposited from sulphate electrolyte on steel substrate is shown and explained. The surface morphology of the investigated Fe-Cr-Ni alloys with b.c.c. crystal structure is represented solely by spherulites and is accompanied by prevalence of <111> crystal orientation in contrast to electrodeposited iron where regular fine crystal structure is characterized by preferred <211> crystal orientation.