Structure and corrosion resistance of nickel coatings containing tungsten and silicon powders

Electrochemical corrosion resistance investigations were carried out in 5 M KOH, using potentiodynamic and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods. On the basis of these investigations it was found that the Ni + W + Si coatings after thermal treatment are more corrosion resistant in alkaline solution than the as-deposited coatings. The reasons for this are a reduction in the amount of free nickel and tungsten, the presence of new phases (in particular polymetallic silicides), and a decrease of the active surface area of the coatings after thermal treatment.