The effect of tungsten addition on metallurgical state and solute content in nanocrystalline electrodeposited nickel

Abstract It is usually difficult to control the incorporation of foreign species in electrodeposited coatings originating from the solvent or the chemical species used for the electrodeposition bath. However, the presence of these impurities can modify their physicochemical properties. In the present study, complementary analytical techniques were used to evaluate the chemical contamination in nickel and nickel–tungsten alloys, electrodeposited from additive free baths. In order to better understand the relationship between impurity content and grain size refinement, the concentration of light elements (H, O and N) was systematically quantified by hot extraction analysis. Also, the distribution of contaminants was evaluated by SIMS analysis. We have shown that in nanocrystalline electrodeposited nickel the grain size refinement and the impurity contents are strongly related. However, in Ni–W alloys the evolution of the contamination is more complex, with a maximum amount for W contents around 10 at.%.