Effect of electrodeposition parameters on the hydrogen permeation during Cu–Sn alloy electrodeposition

The Cu–Sn alloy coatings were synthesized on 27SiMn steel by direct current (DC), pulse current (PC) and pulse reverse current (PRC) electrodeposition techniques from pyrophosphate-based electrolyte. The hydrogen permeation behaviors during the electrodeposition by different techniques were investigated using Devanathan–Stachurski method. The results demonstrated that the hydrogen permeation amount of different electrodeposition techniques decreased in the order: DC > PC > PRC. Frequency and duty cycle have great effect on the sub-surface concentration Co of atomic hydrogen and hydrogen permeation amount. The minimum of hydrogen permeation amount was observed at the frequency of 1000 Hz or 2500 Hz and the duty cycle of 40%. It indicates that the amount of permeated hydrogen in the steel during deposition can be reduced due to the decrease of Co by PC and PRC methods.