Zugl.: Hamburg, Techn. Univ., Diss., 2009

Universiẗat, Diss., 2001--Bremen.

Ni electrodeposition is a suitable process for producing thick deposits and thick metallic microstructures, especially for producing relatively deep micromoulds in Microsystems industry. Ni-P deposits, due to their better properties compared to Ni deposits – particularly high mechanical properties (hardness, wear resistivity), corrosion resistance, magnetic properties, a higher fatigue limit and lower macroscopic deformation – can be a very good alternative for producing Microsystems, especially for MEMS or Microengines. According to few limited literature and our primary investigations, dispersion coating and adding particle into the electrolyte can be considered as an approach in order to decrease the stress and ease the deposition of Ni-P galvanically. Although in the last decades the influence of particles embedment in the matrix by electroplating techniques have attracted the scientific interest, there are still contradictions among the research community concerning the influence of codeposited particles on the microstructure and strengthening properties of Ni-based composites coatings. In many cases, it is believed that the enhanced mechanical performance of the coatings is mainly caused by a change in the microstructure of the metal matrix and not so much by the presence of the particles themselves. In other words, the role of particle characteristics - like their nature, size and concentration - on the layer features and strengthening mechanism of electrodeposited Ni-based composite coating with different matrix is not cleared well. Furthermore, the incorporation of particles into the deposit is mainly considered as a key factor for determining the composite coatings properties. Despite of existing models of ECD, the mechanism of particle incorporation into the film under influence of different particle characteristics has not been well understood yet. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to shed light on the effect of particle characteristics (size, concentration, type) on the codeposition process, microstructure and strengthening mechanisms in Ni and Ni-P electrodeposited composite coatings.

Die galvanische Abscheidung von Iridium aus bromhaltigen Elektrolyten ist aus der Fachliteratur bekannt. Zum besseren Verständnis des Abscheidemechanismus und der nachlassenden Stromausbeute im Betrieb werden umfangreiche Untersuchungen zu den Parametereinflüssen und der Badzusammensetzung diskutiert. Im Fokus des Interesses steht der Oxidationszustand des Iridiums, der für die Abscheidung günstig ist und die Bildung eines Aquakomplexes, der zu abnehmenden Stromausbeuten mit zunehmendem Badalter führt. Die gebildeten Schichten werden hinsichtlich zweier Anwendungsfelder charakterisiert. Die Applikation geschlossener Schichten als Kontaktwerkstoff für die Beschichtung hochbeanspruchter Steck- und Schleifkontakte wird anhand von Beschichtungsversuchen an Demonstratorbauteilen diskutiert. Im zweiten Anwendungsfeld wird die galvanische Abscheidung vereinzelter Iridiumpartikel auf der Oberfläche von PEM-Elektrolyseuren mit Hilfe der Pulsstromtechnik und die katalytische Aktivität der erzeugten Oberflächen für die Sauerstoffbildungsreaktion untersucht. / The electrodeposition of iridium from bromine-containing electrolytes is well known from the literature. For a better understanding of the deposition mechanism and the decreasing current yield during operation, extensive investigations on the parameter influences and the bath composition are discussed. The focus of interest is the oxidation state of iridium, which is favorable for deposition, and the formation of an aqua complex, which leads to decreasing current yields with increasing bath age. The formed coatings are characterized with respect to two fields of application. The application of closed layers as contact material for the coating of highly stressed plug and sliding contacts is discussed on the basis of coating tests on demonstrator components. In the second field of application, the electrodeposition of isolated iridium particles on the surface of PEM electrolyzers using pulse current technology and the catalytic activity of the generated surfaces for the oxygen formation reaction are investigated.

Ni electrodeposition is a suitable process for producing thick deposits and thick metallic microstructures, especially for producing relatively deep micromoulds in Microsystems industry. Ni-P deposits, due to their better properties compared to Ni deposits – particularly high mechanical properties (hardness, wear resistivity), corrosion resistance, magnetic properties, a higher fatigue limit and lower macroscopic deformation – can be a very good alternative for producing Microsystems, especially for MEMS or Microengines. According to few limited literature and our primary investigations, dispersion coating and adding particle into the electrolyte can be considered as an approach in order to decrease the stress and ease the deposition of Ni-P galvanically. Although in the last decades the influence of particles embedment in the matrix by electroplating techniques have attracted the scientific interest, there are still contradictions among the research community concerning the influence of codeposited particles on the microstructure and strengthening properties of Ni-based composites coatings. In many cases, it is believed that the enhanced mechanical performance of the coatings is mainly caused by a change in the microstructure of the metal matrix and not so much by the presence of the particles themselves. In other words, the role of particle characteristics - like their nature, size and concentration - on the layer features and strengthening mechanism of electrodeposited Ni-based composite coating with different matrix is not cleared well. Furthermore, the incorporation of particles into the deposit is mainly considered as a key factor for determining the composite coatings properties. Despite of existing models of ECD, the mechanism of particle incorporation into the film under influence of different particle characteristics has not been well understood yet. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to shed light on the effect of particle characteristics (size, concentration, type) on the codeposition process, microstructure and strengthening mechanisms in Ni and Ni-P electrodeposited composite coatings.