Electron microscopy study of nickel and nickel composite electrocoatings

It has been proved that the electrolysis parameters strongly influence the structural properties of nickel electrodeposits, mainly the crystalline growth, preferred orientation and surface morphology. To determine the structural characteristics of nickel and composite nickel matrix electrocoatings, prepared under either direct current or pulse current conditions, the electron microscopy techniques have proved very important tools. In particular, investigation of the distribution and percentage of microparticles incorporated in the metallic matrix during preparation of nickel composite electrocoatings demands the use of techniques such as energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) or image analysis.