Electrochemical deposition of TiB2 in high temperature molten salts

The electrochemical deposition of TiB2 out of a NaCl–KCl–NaF–KBF4–K2TiF6 electrolyte at 600 °C was tested on steel and molybdenum substrates using various current programs. The characterisation of the deposited layers has been carried out by X-ray diffraction methods, scanning electron microscopy and microhardness measurements. The pulse sequences and the current densities used influence in a significant way the homogeneity of the layers deposited, the crystal size, the texture and other physical properties like electrical and thermal conductivity. The microhardness range was up to 2900 HV, smooth and dense layers were prepared at a pulse frequency of 100 Hz.