The Effects of Pulsed Current Parameters on Porosity of Copper Prepared by Jet Electrodeposition

Surface texturing has become an increasingly prevalent approach to improve the tribological properties of materials. The present work aims to study a novel texturing technology. A copper coating with a porous surface structure was directly prepared on stainless steel using a copper sulfate solution bath via high-speed jet electrodeposition. A fine, uniform honeycomb structure with micron sized pores can be achieved using a pulsed current. The duty cycle, current density and current frequency of the pulsed current have a notable influence on the microstructure of the deposited surface. Decreasing the duty cycle and increasing the current density can help to achieve a homogeneous and fine porous surface. The mechanism for depositing a porous surface was discussed according to the roles of the current parameters in the formation of the coating microstructure.