Zinc Electrodeposition from Acetate Solutions

he electrodeposition of zinc on iron and steel for protection T against corrosion was first proposed in 1840. The combination of aesthetic appeal and protection thus provided has established bright zinc plating as an important process in modern industry. In today's technology, zinc is preferably deposited from acid-type electrolytes, especially chloride, as an alternative to those based on cyanide, which are highly toxic.' Various attempts have been made by different workers to study acid electrolytes."' A review of the literature found that the electrodeposition of zinc from an acetate electrolyte had not been investigated, although an acetate as a minor ingredient had been experimented upon by various investigators. Hence, it was considered useful to study the electrodeposition of zinc from an acetate electrolyte. Here, details of an acetate-based bath composition and the effects of variation of operating parameters, such as current density, temperature, agitation, and solution pH on the nature of the deposits, are reported. Deposit microhardness and solution throwing power were also determined.