Ni coating was deposited on carbon steel by a mechanical attrition enhanced electroplating （MAEE） process. During the electroplating, the mechanical attrition（MA） was introduced by impact of glass balls on the sample surface with a special vibrating frequency. The surface and cross-sectional images of Ni coating were observed with SEM. The microstructure and crystallinity of coating were examined with TEM and XRD. The electrochemical performance of coating was measured with polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS） and its mechanical behaviours, such as tensile strength and hardness, were studied. The results show that the MA has significant effects on the microstructure and property of the electroplated Ni coating. By MA, the coating becomes smooth, compact, thin and has refined grains and is free of cracks and pores. Consequently, the adhesion, tensile strength, hardness and corrosion resistance of coating are improved significantly.
The aluminum foil for high voltage aluminum electrolytic capacitor was immersed in 0.5 mol/L H3PO4 or 0.125 mol/L NaOH solution at 40 ℃ for different time and then DC electro-etched in 1 mol/L HC1＋2.5 mol/L H2SO4 electrolyte at 80 ℃. The pitting potential and self corrosion potential of A1 foil were measured with polarization curves （PC）. The potentiostatic current--time curve was recorded and the surface and cross section images of etched A1 foil were observed with SEM. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS） of etched A1 foil and potential transient curves （PTC） during initial etching stage were measured. The results show the chemical pretreatments can activate A1 foil surface, facilitate the absorption, diffusion and migration of C1- onto the A1 foil during etching, and improve the initiation rate of meta-stable pits and density of stable pits and tunnels, leading to much increase in the real surface area and special capacitance of etched A1 foil.
