Effect of Some Process Variables on Nickel Electroplating of Low Carbon Steel

Abstract

This research work investigated the effect of current density, bath

concentration, bath soIution volume and electroplating time on nickel

electroplating of low carbon steel. Varying voltage between 0.3 and 0.8 V,

bath concentration between 0.27 g/cm3 (0.79 rno~ddan d 0.35 glcm3 (1.02

mo~dmp, electropfig time between 1Q and 30 minutes and bath solution

volume between 200 and 700 cm3, the effect of these process variables on

electroplating was studied. The temperature was kept in conformity with

Watt's method at 50 SQC. It was observed .that a batfi conceniration of 0.31

g/cm3 (0.89 MoVM) concentdon gave the best nickel deposit at 0.5V for

15 minutes. This would correspond to a Watt solution of composition: nickel

sulphate-230 gll, nickel chIoride46.5 g/l and boric acid-30.8 dl with a pH of

4.18. Higher Watt bath concentralion did not yield good results as plating

thickness decreaged and there was no luster. It was aIso observed that

incmsing time of plating served to increase pIating thickness and did not

affect brightness of plating. However non-uniform nickel deposition was

observed for longer plating time. Increase in voltage served to increase rate of

electrodeposition with the exceptions of 0.7 V where a long streak of plating