Study of AgSb coatings prepared by non-cyanide electrodeposition

Abstract In order to improve the wear resistance and corrosion resistance of silver coating under electrical contact friction environment, Ag Sb coatings have been prepared via a non-cyanide electrodeposition process. The surface morphology, microstructure, microhardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance and electrical resistivity of Ag Sb coatings have been studied and the effect of Sb content has been discussed. The non-cyanide electrodeposited Ag Sb coatings have a flatter and more compact surface morphology by comparison with the non-cyanide electrodeposited Ag coating due to the addition of KSbOC4H4O6 as Ag-plating brightener. The Ag 2Sb coating prepared from the bath containing 3 g·L−1 KSbOC4H4O6 obtains the highest microhardness of 146.5 HV and best wear resistance. The electrochemical testing results show a corrosion current density of Ag Sb coatings range from 1.14 × 10−5 A·cm−2 to 4.20 × 10−7 A·cm−2 whereas the Ag 2Sb coating achieves the best corrosion resistance.