Composition and corrosion resistance of palladium film on 316L stainless steel by brush plating

Palladium films with good adhesive strength were deposited on 316L stainless steel by brush plating. Scanning electronic microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), mass loss tests and electrochemical methods were used to study the properties of the films. The brush plated palladium film mainly consisted of palladium. XPS analysis indicated that palladium was present in the films as metal state. The palladium plated stainless steel samples showed excellent corrosion resistance in boiling 20% H2SO4 solution and boiling acetic/formic acids with 0.005 mol/L Br− ions added. The corrosion rates of the palladium plated 316L stainless steel samples were about two orders of magnitude lower than those of the original 316L stainless steel samples. This method provides a possibility to prepare protective palladium films on stainless steel facilities with large areas in industrial sites.