Alternate Zinc - Nickel alloy coating for hazardous Cadmium

Research on zinc – nickel alloy deposit from alkaline zincate cyanide free electrolyte was dealt to eliminate the use of potentially hazardous cadmium. To compare with cadmium separate deposition of cadmium from cadmium sulphate electrolyte was processed. Hull cell tests performed to determine the current density ranges with and without addition agents. SEM & EDAX, AFM, XRD observations indicated the deposit’s surface morphology and percentage of zinc & nickel present in the alloy, surface topography and crystallographic orientation. Surface characterisation studies were evaluated for cadmium also. Weight loss methods, Potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy correlations show zinc – nickel alloy coatings have a better corrosion resistance and are considered to be eco friendly replacement for cadmium coatings in corrosion resistant applications