COMPOSITE NICKEL COATINGS PRODUCED ON 6XXX SERIES ALUMINIUM ALLOYS WITH THE ADDITION OF VANADIUM

Studies of composite nickel coatings electrolytically deposited on aluminium alloys with different content of vanadium were described. Composite coatings were deposited from a Watts bath containing fine-dispersed SiC powder particles in an amount of 20 g/l and organic matters such as saccharin and sodium laurate. The morphology, structure and thickness of the obtained composite coatings were presented. The corrosion resistance of produced coatings was examined by electrochemical method. Basing on the results of studies it was found that coatings obtained with the sole addition of saccharin were characterized by numerous surface defects. The addition of sodium laurate eliminated the occurrence of defects caused by hydrogen evolution and the resulting coatings were continuous with good adhesion to the substrate. The distribution of the ceramic SiC phase in coatings was fairly uniform for all the examined variants of aluminium alloys. SEM examinations did not reveal the phenomenon of the ceramic particles agglomeration.