Influence of anodizing on the zamac electrodeposition process

ABSTRACT

Studies have shown that Zamac containing coatings obtained by electroplating, used as sanitary metal, has low resistance to corrosion, which was attributed to the formation of porosity in the alloy due to the pressure injection process. In this case, the electrodeposited coatings do not satisfactorily cover the surface porosity of the Zamac injected under pressure. Research has shown that zamac anodizing has minimized or closed these porosities. This work aims to verify the behavior of electrodeposited layers in zamac samples with and without anodization. For this, Zamac samples were anodized in 0.3 M oxalic acid electrolyte, with process parameters of 100 V, 10 mA/cm², for 300 s, in a source of potential × current (300 V, 500 mA) and subsequently electrodeposited in alkaline copper, acid copper, nickel and chromium baths. The samples were evaluated by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) by top analyses, cross section and by Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy - EDS. The results showed that the anodizing process allows for better leveling of the alkaline copper and acid copper coating electrodeposited in Zamac, impacting final coatings (up to chrome electrodeposition) with greater thickness when compared to those obtained in the industrial process.

Keywords
Zamak; Anodizing; Porosity; Electrodeposition