The evaluation of nickel deposit obtained via Watts electrolyte at ambient temperature

A series of electroplating works were conducted to investigate the best conditions for the electrodeposition of nickel on a mild steel substrate. The electrodeposition was done at ambient electrolyte temperature with mild agitation and under current density ranging from 10 to 50 mA/cm(2). X-ray diffraction analysis (2 theta for first three peaks = 44.6, 51.9, and 76.8) and Energy Dispersive Spectrometer verified the presence of a pure nickel coating. Under field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis, the coating shows a typical nodular surface morphology, while cross-sectional microstructures show a compact nickel layer. Vickers hardness testing shows that the coating hardness gave the highest value of 293 HV at 30 mA/cm(2) current density.