Effect of zinc immersion pretreatment on the electro-deposition of Ni onto AZ91D magnesium alloy

The effect of zinc immersion pretreatment on the quality and properties of Ni deposited layer on the AZ91D Mg alloy has been studied. The evolution of surface morphology, composition and microstructure of the AZ91D Mg alloy in the process of pretreatment was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that the activation step results in the deposition of some composite membranes consisted of fluoride and phosphate or pyrophosphate formed preferentially in the α phase region of the Mg alloy surface, while zinc immersion leads to the deposition of a network-like Zn layer formed preferentially in the β phase region of the Mg alloy surface. Cyclic voltammogram, dynamic potential scanning polarization technique and chronopotentionmetry measurements showed that the deposited Zn layer can markedly improve the anti-corrosion ability of the Mg alloy substrate in the Ni-plating solution and improve the nucleation and growth of Ni onto the surface of the Mg alloy substrate. With the proper Zn immersion pretreatment, a compact Ni layer can be electro-deposited on the magnesium alloy. The deposited Ni layer shows good adhesion to the Mg alloy substrate. The Mg alloy specimens after deposition of Ni have good anti-corrosion properties in a neutral 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution.