Abstract: An electroplating formulation and process is provided for electroplating an iron layer onto an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate. The method entails immersing an iron-containing anode and an aluminum containing cathode in an electroplating bath including boric acid in a concentration of at least about 50 grams per liter, and ferrous ions, and then applying electrical current to the cathode. A preferred electroplating bath solution includes the following: (1) Fe+2 having a concentration ranging from about 0.65 to about 2.5 moles per liter of solution; (2) at least one anion associated with the Fe+2 ion; (3) a reducing agent in an amount sufficient to prevent oxidation of Fe+2 to Fe+3; (4) Cl− in an amount sufficient to promote dissolution of the anode and increase the conductivity of the solution; (5) a wetting agent in an amount sufficient to prevent pitting of the aluminum electroplated surface; and (6) boric acid in a concentration of at least about 50 grams per liter.