Corrosion and Properties of Developed Ni-CeO2 Co-deposited on Mild Steel at Varying Current Densities

Rare earth Nickel composite film was attempted on mild steel surface by DC electrodeposition for improvement of corrosion resistance and morphological structure. A conventional Watts bath was utilised for film fabrication and rare earth cerium oxide particle reinforcement were made at 5g/l CeO2 addition to the plating bath. The effect of varying current density (1.0-2.0 A/dm2) on coating morphology was studied by a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Linear polarization technique for corrosion resistance studied in 3.65% simulated saline environment (Cl− nature). Coatings exhibited improved corrosion resistance compared to pure Nickel coatings. Increase in current density was observed to result in improved resistance to corrosion. SEM/EDX results revealed presence of Ce metal in coating owing to the inclusion of CeO2 particles in plating bath and evidence of particle agglomeration.