Physical Properties of Electrodeposited Metals and Alloys. Quality Control and Testing Methods

Abstract

The properties of electrodeposited metals deviate to a greater or lesser extent from the standard values reported for pure bulk materials obtained by metallurgical methods (for example, crystallized from the melt), which usually exhibit a structure close to the equilibrium one. These deviations are mainly due to a higher density of structural imperfections and the presence of impurities (among these hydroxides, sulfides or organic substances) uncharacteristic of the corresponding bulk metals. In particular, the observed variation of deposit properties appear to be related to the grain boundaries , more precisely to the volume of defected region localized near the boundaries, the presence of precipitates or impurities —in particular oxides and hydroxides—and finally to the structural features of these regions, for example, the angular disorientation of neighboring crystals.