Electrodeposition of noncrystalline cobalt–tungsten alloys from citrate electrolytes

Abstract

Induced electrodeposition of Co–W alloys onto steel substrates from acid citrate baths has been investigated. The effects of some plating parameters, such as current density, pH and temperature on the potentiodynamic cathodic polarization curves, cathodic current efficiency of the alloy and the percentage tungsten in the alloy were studied. Highly adherent and compact Co–W alloys codeposited from citrate baths containing up to 28 mass % tungsten were obtained. The percentage W (w/w) in the alloy increases with increasing pH, bath temperature and Co2+ ion concentration. On the other hand, the percentage W in the alloy decreases with increasing current density. Anodic linear stripping voltammetry (ALSV) indicated that the alloy might consist of one phase solid solution. These alloys were determined to be noncrystalline by X-ray diffraction analysis.