Mechanical Properties of $Zn-Ni-SiO_2$ Coating Deposited under X-ray Irradiation

Using X-ray microanalysis and scanning electron microscopy $Zn-Ni-SiO_2$ plating containing $SiO_2$ nanoparticles were studied. It was found that X-ray irradiation of the electrolyte leads to the increased Ni concentration in $Zn-Ni-SiO_2(X)$ films and the grain size is also increasing (the grain size is twice that in the unirradiated case). A thickness of $Zn-Ni-SiO_2(X)$ plating is 20 μm and a thickness of the $Zn-Ni-SiO_2$ plating is about 15 μm. The surface morphology was studied using AFM method. Increasing Ni concentration and $Ni_5Zn_{21}$ phase due to X-Ray irradiation of the electrolyte leading to the improved mechanical properties of the coating.