Production of layer by layer Zn-Fe compositional multilayer alloy coatings using triangular current pulses for better corrosion protection

Multiple-layer coatings of Zn-Fe alloy having alternatively the same compositions have been developed galvanostatically on mild steel (MS) from a single plating bath using triangular current pulses. Thiamine hydrochloride (THC) and citric acid (CA) were used as additives. Multiple-layer coatings were developed under different conditions of cyclic cathode current density (CCCD) and number of layers. Cyclic voltammetry demonstrated that the addition of THC and CA improves the deposit character by increasing the Ni content (through suppressing the deposition of Zn) via preferential adsorption on the cathode surface. The corrosion behaviours of the coatings were evaluated by electrochemical AC and DC methods. The optimum multiple-layer coating, represented as (Zn-Fe)(3.0/5.0/300), was found to exhibit about four to five times better corrosion resistance when compared with monolayer (Zn-Fe)(3.0) alloy, developed from the same bath for the same duration. Distinct phase structures responsible for interface formation between successive layers (which changes alternatively) were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Better corrosion resistance afforded by multiple-layer coating was attributed to the increased specific surface area of the coating because of layering. A synergistic effect of both structural difference between layers and individual layer thickness is responsible for enhanced corrosion resistance of the multiple-layer coatings. The formation of multiple layers and corrosion mechanism were analysed by scanning electron microscopy.