Eletrodeposição de ligas Zn-Co por corrente contínua e pulsada simples, a partir de banhos ambientalmente não agressivos

Abstract

Zn-Co alloys coatings are commonly used in the industry (aerospace, automotive and electrical insulators, for example) due to their great corrosion resistance, mainly when compared to pure zinc coatings. In the zinc co-deposition with different metals, such as iron, cobalt or nickel, it is observed an anomalous deposition, in which the less noble metal (zinc) is preferably deposited, regardless the current type applied (direct or pulsed). Recently, several studies relate the production of electrodeposited Zn-Co alloys from environmentally non-aggressive baths to substitute the extremely toxic cyanide-based alkaline baths. In this dissertation, Zn-Co alloy coatings were produced on carbon steel substrate using direct or simple pulsed currents, from baths with different Co2+ concentrations (0.05 mol/L and 0.10 mol/L), 0.10 mol/L of Zn2+and sodium citrate (0.10 mol/L) as a complexing agent, under stirring. Four different current densities values (10 A/m2, 20 A/m2, 40 A/m2 and 80 A/m2) and four different pulse frequencies values (100 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz) were applied in order to obtain the alloys from both baths, aiming to assess the influence of the deposition parameters (Co (II) concentration, current density applied, and also pulse frequency, for the simple pulsed current process) in the variables cathodic current efficiency, alloy composition, current corrosion density, and Zn-Co alloy deposit microstructure and morphology. The obtained layers colours varied from light to dark grey, normally dull, regardless the current type used. Normal electrodeposition process was predominant when direct current was used, whereas only anomalous deposition was observed when using pulsed current. The highest cathodic current efficiency (60%) was obtained in direct current for the lowest Co2 + concentration (0.05 mol / L). Under these same conditions it was determined a cathodic current efficiency of 98% for single pulsed current, employing the frequency of 2000 Hz Higher content of the noblest metal (cobalt) were achieved for higher current densities for all conditions studied. These coatings presented the smallest grain sizes, for each of the evaluated solutions. The other studied parameters have also influenced in the granulometry and the morphology of the obtained alloys. Coatings presenting the best corrosion resistance, showing the cobalt content between 8 and 10% m/m, were obtained from the highest Co2+ concentration bath, using simple pulsed current