Electrodeposition of iron–molybdenum–tungsten coatings from citrate electrolytes

Abstract

Specific features of the electrodeposition of iron–molybdenum–tungsten coatings from citrate electrolytes based on iron(III) sulfate in the dc mode and with a unipolar pulsed current were studied. It was shown that varying the relative concentrations of salts of alloy-forming metals and the solution pH makes it possible to obtain lustrous compact coatings with low porosity and various contents of high-melting components. The effect of temperature on the coating composition and current efficiency was examined. The current density ranges providing high electrolysis efficiency were found and it was demonstrated that using a pulsed current favors formation of more compositionally homogeneous surface layers at a smaller amount of adsorbed nonmetallic impurities in the coatings. The iron–molybdenum–tungsten coatings are X-ray-amorphous and have better physicomechanical properties and corrosion resistance as compared with the base, which makes it possible to recommend these coatings for application in techniques for surface reinforcement and restoration of worn-out articles.