Characterization of Surface Defects on Pulse-Electrodeposited Nickel Tubes

Magazine article, 2013

Electroplated thin-walled tubes were tested in compression. Most cracks were found at defects, i.e. protrusions on the surface of the tubes. The study focusses on the characterization of these defects. Optical microscopy revealed that the defects were already present in the metallization layer and occurred during the metallization process. When electrodepositing a Nickel coating on top, grains grow perpendicular to the surface of the metallization layer creating local orientation changes. Thus, protrusions occur on the surface of the tube where imperfections are located in the metallization layer. The results will be valuable for improving the deformation characteristics of the electrodeposited tubes; they can also be used to design new types of electrodeposits by patterning the substrate.