Abstract: An electrolytic bath for electrodeposition includes nickel salt, phosphoric acid, phosphonic acid, and boric acid in solution. A method for producing an electrolytic bath includes the steps of mixing a nickel salt, phosphoric acid, phosphonic acid, and boric acid, and adding nickel carbonate in order to increase the pH value.

Abstract: A piston ring is provided having a bottom surface, a top surface, an inner diameter surface and at least one running surface. A wear protection coating substantially entirely of cobalt is applied to the at least one running surface to protect the base material of the piston ring. Specifically, during operation of an engine, the more durable cobalt wear resistant coating, not the base material which may be steel or cast iron, is in sliding contact with a cylinder wall. The cobalt coating may be applied through, for example, electrodeposition or plasma spraying.

Abstract: A plating formulation for the electroless deposition of a metal layer on a substrate, wherein a ?-amino acid and/or ?-amino acid derivative is used as a stabilizer. The ?-amino acid is present within a range of 1 mg/L to 2 g/L. Typically, the electrolyte is free of heavy metal stabilizers, cyanides, selenium compounds and sulfur compounds comprising sulfur in an oxidation state between ?2 and +5. The inventive plating formulation can comprise 3-aminopropionic acid, 3-aminobutyric acid, 3-amino-4-methylvaleric acid, and 2-aminoethane-sulfonic acid.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for electrolytically coating an article. The method includes providing an article to be coated and disposing the article in an electrolytic cell. The cell includes an anode, a cathode in operable communication with the article, and an electrolyte bath. During electrolysis, the electrolyte bath comprises cobalt ions, phosphorous acid, and tribological particles selected from the group consisting of refractory materials, solid lubricants and mixtures thereof dispersed therein. The method further includes applying steady direct electric current through the anode, the electrolyte bath and the cathode to coat the article with cobalt, phosphorous and the tribological particles. An improved composition of matter is also provided that may be used as a coating, or the composition may be electroformed on a mandrel to form an article made from the composition of matter.

Abstract: A method is described for forming a magnetic recording head substrate. The method includes utilizing a metal feature on the magnetic recording head substrate as a grounding path. The magnetic recording head substrate is submerged in a solution containing ions of a second material, and the ions of the second material are electrodeposited on the magnetic recording head substrate.

Abstract: Methods for the use of nanocrystalline or amorphous metals or alloys as coatings with industrial processes are provided. Three, specific, such methods have been detailed. One of the preferred embodiments provides a method for the high volume electrodeposition of many components with a nanocrystalline or amorphous metal or alloy, and the components produced thereby. Another preferred embodiment provides a method for application of a nanocrystalline or amorphous coatings in a continuous electrodeposition process and the product produced thereby. Another of the preferred embodiments of the present invention provides a method for reworking and/or rebuilding components and the components produced thereby.

Abstract: Methods of making write poles for perpendicular magnetic recording write heads. The bevel angle of the write pole for a perpendicular magnetic recording write head affects the performance of the write head. By forming reinforcement layer on the polymeric underlayer mask to enhance the mask durability during ion mill and tapering the polymeric underlayer above the non-magnetic mill mask layer using oxygen and nitrogen based reactive ion etch process, the bevel angle of the magnetic write pole can be increased greatly to meet the demands of the next and future generations of magnetic recording write heads.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steel sheet for a container including a cold-rolled steel sheet and a composite film formed on the cold-rolled steel sheet through an electrolysis process in a solution containing: at least one metal ion of an Sn ion, an Fe ion, and an Ni ion; Zr ion; a nitric acid ion: and an ammonium ion, in which the composite film contains at least one element of: Zr of 0.1 to 100 mg/m2 in equivalent units of metal Zr; Sn of 0.3 to 20 g/m2 in equivalent units of metal Sn; Fe of 5 to 2000 mg/m2 in equivalent units of metal Fe; and Ni of 5 to 2000 mg/m2 in equivalent units of metal Ni.

Abstract: Cobalt-phosphorous-boron coated objects and processes for production of the same. The coatings are wear resistant and may have several characteristics that render them suitable for applications in certain industries, such as the aerospace industry. The manufacturing process for the coated objects is free of hexavalent chromium fumes generation. The process of manufacture includes the steps of at least partially submerging a metal object as a cathodic element into a plating bath. The plating bath includes an aqueous solution of cobalt ions, chloride ions, phosphate ions, phosphite ions and boron-containing ions. The plating bath may have a pH in the range from about 1.0 to about 1.8. Current flows between an anode in the plating bath and the cathodic element in contact with an object to be coated for a time sufficient to deposit a cobalt-phosphorous-boron coating on the object. The current continues to flow until a coating of desired thickness is obtained.

Abstract: An aqueous electrolytic plating solution and a method of using the same for depositing a cobalt/nickel/phosphorus alloy on an electrically conductive substrate are provided. The aqueous electrolytic plating solution comprises: a) a source of nickel ions; b) a source of cobalt ions; c) a source of phosphite ions; d) an amino acid; and e) optionally, boric acid. The deposited cobalt/nickel/phosphorus alloy exhibits high coercivity and high remanence.

Abstract: A magnetic material comprises 50-80 wt % of Cobalt, 9-15 wt % of Nickel, 10-25 wt % of Rhenium, 0.1 to 2.0 wt % of Phosphorus, and 5-10 wt % of Tungsten or Platinum. It can be formed as a layer having good vertical magnetic properties (e.g. when magnetised it can provide a high magnetic field strength in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the layer). The layer preferably has a thickness of above 1 ?m. It can be formed by electroplating. The layer is useful for inclusion in a MEMS device.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for electrolytically coating an article. The method includes providing an article to be coated and disposing the article in an electrolytic cell. The cell includes an anode, a cathode in operable communication with the article, and an electrolyte bath. During electrolysis, the electrolyte bath comprises cobalt ions, phosphorous acid, and tribological particles selected from the group consisting of refractory materials, solid lubricants and mixtures thereof dispersed therein. The method further includes applying steady direct electric current through the anode, the electrolyte bath and the cathode to coat the article with cobalt, phosphorous and the tribological particles. An improved composition of matter is also provided that may be used as a coating, or the composition may be electroformed on a mandrel to form an article made from the composition of matter.

Abstract: A coating which improves the wear performance of a part is described. The coating is applied over an article such as a part or a workpiece using an electroplating process. The coating broadly includes a cobalt material matrix with a hardness of at least 550 HV and a plurality of carbide particles distributed throughout the cobalt material matrix. The cobalt material matrix may be a cobalt-phosphorous alloy. The particles interspersed throughout the matrix may be chrome carbide or silicon carbide particles.

Abstract: Amorphous Fe100-a-bPaMb foil, preferably in the form of a free-standing foil, process for its production by electrodeposition or electroforming of an aqueous plating solution, and its uses as a constitutive element of a transformer, generator, motor, pulse applications and magnetic shieldings. “a” is a real number ranging from 13 to 24, b is a real number ranging from 0 to 4, and M is at least one transition element other than Fe. The amorphous Fe100-a-bPaMb foil has the properties of being amorphous as established by the X-ray diffraction method, an average thickness greater than 20 micrometers, a tensile strength in the range of 200-1100 MPa, an electrical resistivity of over 120 ??cm, and at least one of a high saturation induction (Bs) greater than 1.4 T, a coercive field (Hc) of less than 40 A/m, a loss (W60), at power frequencies (60 Hz), and for a peak induction of at least 1.35 T, of less than 0.65 W/kg, and a relative magnetic permeability (B/?0H) greater than 10000, for low values of ?0H.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for electrolytically coating an article. The method includes providing an article to be coated and disposing the article in an electrolytic cell. The cell includes an anode, a cathode in operable communication with the article, and an electrolyte bath. During electrolysis, the electrolyte bath comprises cobalt ions, phosphorous acid, and tribological particles selected from the group consisting of refractory materials, solid lubricants and mixtures thereof dispersed therein. The method further includes applying steady direct electric current through the anode, the electrolyte bath and the cathode to coat the article with cobalt, phosphorous and the tribological particles. An improved composition of matter is also provided that may be used as a coating, or the composition may be electroformed on a mandrel to form an article made from the composition of matter.

Abstract: An electrolyte and method of producing the same. In one embodiment, the electrolyte includes water, ascorbic acid, a phosphorous donor, ammonium perchlorate, ferrous perchlorate, cobalt perchlorate, and a buffering agent.

Abstract: A method of forming a film composed of a phosphate compound and a metal on the surface of an article to be treated by performing electrolytic treatment on a metal article to be treated in a phosphate chemical treatment bath. The method includes contacting the metal article having electrical conductivity with the phosphate chemical treatment bath containing phosphate ions and phosphoric acid, nitrate ions, metal ions that form a complex with phosphate ions in the phosphate chemical treatment bath, and metal ions for which the dissolution-precipitation equilibrium potential at which ions dissolved in the phosphate chemical treatment bath are reduced and precipitate as metal is equal to or greater than ?830 mV. The (oxidation-reduction potential) of the phosphate chemical treatment bath is maintained at equal to or greater than 700 mV.

Abstract: A plating bath, able to form a resistance layer with a uniform thickness distribution on the roughened surface of a conductive base, including nickel ions and sulfamic acid or its salt as essential components and at least one of phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid, hypophosphorous acid, and salts of the same; a conductive base having a thin resistance layer with a stable resistance, and a resistance circuit board material using the same.

Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention relates to an aqueous acid iron phosphorus bath which comprises (A) at least one compound from which iron can be electrolytically deposited, (B) hypophosphite ion, and (C) sulfur-containing compound represented by the formula Y—S—R1—SO3X??I wherein X is H or an alkali metal, R1 is an alkylene group containing from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms, Y is H, S—R1—SO3X, C(S)NR2?, C(S)OR?, C(NH2)NR2?, or a heterocyclic group, and each R? is independently H, or an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms. Optionally, the aqueous acidic iron phosphorus electroplating bath of the invention also may comprise aluminum irons. The alloys which are deposited on the substrates by the process of the present invention are characterized by the presence of iron, phosphorus and sulfur.

Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention relates to an aqueous acid iron phosphorus bath which comprises (A) at least one compound from which iron can be electrolytically deposited, (B) hypophosphite ion, and (C) sulfur-containing compound represented by the formula Y—S—R1—SO3X??I wherein X is H or an alkali metal, R1 is an alkylene group containing from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms, Y is H, S—R1—SO3X, C(S)NR2?, C(S)OR?, C(NH2)NR2?, or a heterocyclic group, and each R? is independently H, or an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms. Optionally, the aqueous acidic iron phosphorus electroplating bath of the invention also may comprise aluminum irons. The alloys which are deposited on the substrates by the process of the present invention are characterized by the presence of iron, phosphorus and sulfur.

Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention relates to an aqueous acid iron phosphorus bath which comprises (A) at least one compound from which iron can be electrolytically deposited, (B) hypophosphite ion, and (C) a sulfur-containing compound selected from sulfoalkylated polyethylene imines, sulfonated safranin dye, and mercapto aliphatic sulfonic acids or alkali metal salts thereof. Optionally, the aqueous acidic iron phosphorus electroplating bath of the invention also may comprise aluminum irons. The alloys which are deposited on the substrates by the process of the present invention are characterized by the presence of iron, phosphorus and sulfur.

Abstract: Methods and structures for the fabrication of wrap around and trailing shield structures are disclosed. Capped seed layers having a dual layer structure are utilized, improving photo resist adhesion and plated shield adhesion, without the need to deposit, then remove, traditional inorganic anti-reflection coatings prior to shield plating.

Abstract: A gap of a thin-film magnetic head is formed of NiP. The P content of the NiP gap layer is controlled to be within the range of 11 mass percent to 14 mass percent so that the gap layer is nonmagnetic.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for electrolytically coating an article. The method includes providing an article to be coated and disposing the article in an electrolytic cell. The cell includes an anode, a cathode in operable communication with the article, and an electrolyte bath. During electrolysis, the electrolyte bath comprises cobalt ions, phosphorous acid, and tribological particles selected from the group consisting of refractory materials, solid lubricants and mixtures thereof dispersed therein. The method further includes applying steady direct electric current through the anode, the electrolyte bath and the cathode to coat the article with cobalt, phosphorous and the tribological particles. An improved composition of matter is also provided that may be used as a coating, or the composition may be electroformed on a mandrel to form an article made from the composition of matter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a member which is superior in anti-fungus property and anti-alga property, and is coated with a surface treatment coating comprising at least a layer having anti-fungus property and/or anti-alga property laminated between a topmost surface functional layer and a base, wherein the layer having anti-fungus property and/or anti-alga property comprises 80% or more of Ni, 0.1 to 10% of P, and 0.0001 to 1% of hydrogen, holes reaching the surface of the layer having anti-fungus property and/or anti-alga property are present in the topmost surface functional layer so as to penetrate the topmost surface functional layer, the opening area ratio thereof to the total area when the topmost surface functional layer is viewed in plan being from 0.001 to 10%, or the elution amount of Ni is from 0.1 to 50 ?g/cm2/week when the member is immersed in still water at 30° C.

Abstract: A battery container having an inner surface provided with a nickel-phosphorous alloy layer, optionally provided with a nickel-cobalt alloy layer as the lower layer thereof. The outer surface of the battery container is preferably provided with a nickel-cobalt alloy layer. Batteries made using the battery containers of the present invention have excellent performance.

Abstract: A process for applying a metal layer to surfaces of light metals is proposed, in which iron is electrolytically deposited on the surfaces from a deposition bath containing Fe(II) compounds using dimensionally stable anodes insoluble in the deposition bath. The process is especially suitable for coating cylinder faces of internal combustion engines and of rotationally symmetrical parts with layers having very high wear resistance, especially of valves, nozzles and other parts of high-pressure injection systems for motor vehicle engines. In addition, the present invention pertains to nanocrystalline iron-phosphorus layers, which can be formed preferably by depositing iron in the presence of compounds containing orthophosphite and/or hypophosphite. These layers also have good corrosion resistance besides the good wear resistance.

Abstract: A gap layer of a thin-film magnetic head is formed of NiP. The P content of the NiP gap layer is controlled to be within the range of 11 mass percent to 14 mass percent so that the gap layer is nonmagnetic.

Abstract: Methods of providing improved metal coatings or metal deposits on a substrate, improvements in plating solutions that are used to provide such metal deposits and articles of the metal-coated substrates. The solderability of the metal coating is enhanced by incorporating trace amounts of phosphorus in the metal coating to reduce surface oxide formation during subsequent heating and thus enhance long term solderability of the metal coating. The phosphorus is advantageously provided in the metal coating by incorporating a source of phosphorus in a solution that is used to provide the metal coating on the substrate, and the metal coating is then provided on the substrate from the solution.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of electroplating a Ni—Fe—P alloy using a sulfamate solution and, in particular, a method of electroplating a Ni—Fe—P alloy using a plating solution containing nickel sulfamate, iron sulfamate, phosphorous acid, and a buffer agent. The method is advantageous in that a residual stress of a deposited layer is very low and has stable mechanical properties, and excellent thermal and corrosion resistance because the deposited layer is obtained by electroplating the Ni—Fe—P alloy using the sulfamate solution useful in a high rate plating process. Furthermore, the method can be applied to various parent metals such as stainless steel, Inconel and iron alloys, and to various fields because the chemical compositions of the deposited layer are readily controlled by varying the concentration of the plating solution.

Abstract: A plating bath, able to form a resistance layer with a uniform thickness distribution on the roughened surface of a conductive base, including nickel ions and sulfamic acid or its salt as essential components and at least one of phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid, hypophosphorous acid, and salts of the same; a conductive base having a thin resistance layer with a stable resistance, and a resistance circuit board material using the same.

Abstract: Methods of providing improved metal coatings or metal deposits on a substrate, improvements in plating solutions that are used to provide such metal deposits and articles of the metal-coated substrates. The solderability of the metal coating is enhanced by incorporating trace amounts of phosphorus in the metal coating to reduce surface oxide formation during subsequent heating and thus enhance long term solderability of the metal coating. The phosphorus is advantageously provided in the metal coating by incorporating a source of phosphorus in a solution that is used to provide the metal coating on the substrate, and the metal coating is then provided on the substrate from the solution.

Abstract: An aqueous bath for electroplating NiP coatings is provided comprising, generally, a solution containing nickel salts, either a mixture of nickel sulfate and nickel chloride or an all nickel chloride source, sodium hypophosphite and boric acid. Thiourea is added to an all chloride bath solution for decorative applications or other applications requiring enhanced brightness. Upon dissolution of the bath constituents, the bath pH is adjusted up to a value of 3.5 to 4.5 with sodium hydroxide and maintained for at least 15 minutes at or above room temperature, preferably in the range of 40° to 50° C., then the bath pH is reduced to the bath operating range of 2.0 to 3.0, preferably 2.2 to 2.6. Maintaining the elevated solution pH prior to electroplating a substrate prevents the oxidation of the hypophosphite anions and ensures long-term utilization of the bath.

Abstract: Ultra smooth as-deposited composite nickel coatings for use in an information storage system are provided. The composite nickel coatings include an electrolessly deposited nickel layer formed on a sputter deposited nickel layer. The composite nickel coatings have an as-deposited surface roughness of less than about 10 Å. Embodiments include formation of the composite nickel coating on a disk, followed by deposition of an underlayer and magnetic layer thereon to form a magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: To simplify polishing of an Ni—P film by using an electroless nickel plating bath added with a water-soluble lead compd. and water-soluble antimony or bismuth compd. as the electroless nickel plating bath.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating workpieces. According to said method, an alloy containing at least phosphorus and nickel is precipitated from an electrolyte to produce a functional, especially corrosion-resistant and wear-resistant metallic coating. The aim of the invention is to provide a means of increasing wear resistance and hardness and improving the anti-corrosion effect with a significantly higher rate of incorporation of elementary phosphorus. To this end, an at least quarternary alloy with the components nickel, cobalt, wolfram and phosphorus is electrolytically precipitated in the form of a coating. The invention also relates to a corrosion-resistant and wear-resistant coating with essentially the following composition: 0.5 to 2.0 wt. % wolfram; 1.0 to 2.0 wt % cobalt; 15 to 20 wt. % phosphorus and at least 10 wt. % nickel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of electroplating a Ni—Fe—P alloy using a sulfamate solution and, in particular, a method of electroplating a Ni—Fe—P alloy using a plating solution containing nickel sulfamate, iron sulfamate, phosphorous acid, and a buffer agent. The method is advantageous in that a residual stress of a deposited layer is very low and has stable mechanical properties, and excellent thermal and corrosion resistance because the deposited layer is obtained by electroplating the Ni—Fe—P alloy using the sulfamate solution useful in a high rate plating process. Furthermore, the method can be applied to various parent metals such as stainless steel, Inconel and iron alloys, and to various fields because the chemical compositions of the deposited layer are readily controlled by varying the concentration of the plating solution.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for electrolessly depositing and electrodepositing a CoMoP barrier coating onto copper or copper alloys to prevent copper diffusion when forming gold layers on articles such as watch bracelets, watch cases, imitation jewellery, spectacle frames, and metal buttons.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for electrolessly depositing and electrodepositing CoWP barrier coating onto copper or copper alloys to prevent copper diffusion when forming layers on articles such as watch bracelets, watch cases, imitation jewelry, spectacle frames and metal buttons.

Abstract: An electrolytic plating process is provided for electrodepositing a nickel or nickel cobalt alloy which contains at least about 2% to 25% by atomic volume of phosphorous. The process solutions contains nickel and optionally cobalt sulfate, hypophosphorous acid or a salt thereof, boric acid or a salt thereof, a monodentate organic acid or a salt thereof, and a multidentate organic acid or a salt thereof. The pH of the plating bath is from about 3.0 to about 4.5. An electroplating process is also provided which includes electroplating from the bath a nickel or nickel cobalt phosphorous alloy. This process can achieve a deposit with high microyield of at least about 84 kg/mm2 (120 ksi) and a density lower than pure nickel of about 8.0 gm/cc. This process can be used to plate a deposit of essentially zero stress at plating temperatures from ambient to 70° C.

Abstract: A method for forming a quaternary alloy film of Co—W—P—Au for use as a diffusion barrier layer on a copper interconnect in a semiconductor structure and devices formed incorporating such film are disclosed. In the method, a substrate that has copper conductive regions on top is first pre-treated by two separate pre-treatment steps. In the first step, the substrate is immersed in a H2SO4 rinsing solution and next in a solution containing palladium ions for a length of time sufficient for the ions to deposit on the surface of the copper conductive regions. The substrate is then immersed in a solution that contains at least 15 gr/l sodium citrate or EDTA for removing excess palladium ions from the surface of the copper conductive regions.

Abstract: To establish a technique of further improving the oxidation resistance of the glossy surface of a copper foil that has a composite layer containing chromium, zinc, and phosphorus on its glossy surface is achieved by a copper foil having excellent oxidation resistance characterized by a composite layer containing chromium, zinc, phosphorus, and nickel formed on the glossy surface of the foil and also to a method of manufacturing the same by electrolysis.

Abstract: An industrial material such as metal, ceramics or plastics whose surface has a film passivated by fluoridation and a process of manufacturing the above industrial material. The industrial material comprises a substrate, a nickel alloy film formed on the substrate and containing nickel, semimetal and/or other metal whose fluoride becomes a volatile compound, and a fluorine passivated film formed at least on a surface of the nickel alloy film in such a manner that the fluorine passivated film contains nickel and does not contain said other metal or the semimetal, and satisfies stoichiometric ratio. The process of manufacturing an industrial material comprises the steps of performing grounding treatment of a surface of a substrate, forming a nickel alloy film, on the surface of the substrate, containing nickel, semimetal and/or other metal, and forming a fluorine passivated film on the nickel alloy film.

Abstract: A method is described for electrodepositing an alloy of Ni-Fe-W-P. The alloy has good corrosion and wear resistance and hence is a possible replacement for hard chromium. The electrodeposition solution contains nickel ions, iron ions, tungsten ions and phosphorous ions, and a reducing agent. The solution yields high iron content, bright level alloy deposits containing up to 40 percent iron. In another aspect of the invention, electrodeposition is carried out on a surface containing a geometric error. A sensor determines the surface topography of the surface. This is compared in a microprocessor to the desired topography. A corrective signal is sent to an electric current source to cause electrodeposition of a quantity of leveling agent sufficient to at least partially correct the geometric error.

Abstract: An aqueous solution for the reductive deposition of metals comprising, besides water, (A) a phosphine of the general formula (1)  in which R1, R2, and R3 denote lower alkyl groups, at least one of which being hydroxy-or amino-substituted lower alkyl group, and (B) a soluble compound of a metal or a compound of a metal solubilized through the formation of a soluble complex by said phosphine.

Abstract: Nickel phosphorus alloys can be electroplated from an aqueous acidic solution containing nickel alkane sulfonate and phosphorus acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alloy film resistor containing mainly nickel and phosphorus having an excellent fuse function and a method for producing the alloy film resistor. After the conductivity is given to the surface of an electrical insulating substrate such as ceramics by sequentially performing an etching treatment, an activating treatment and an electroless plating treatment to the electrical insulating substrate, an alloy film containing mainly nickel and phosphorus is formed by not an electroless plating process but an electrolytic plating process. By adopting the electrolytic plating process, a film thickness of the formed alloy film of the middle part on the surface of the insulating substrate is thinner than that of the alloy film of the corner or ridge parts on the surface of the insulating substrate, and the thin part of the film thickness serves as a suitable fusing start part when applying an overload.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alloy film resistor containing mainly nickel and phosphorus having an excellent fuse function and a method for producing the alloy film resistor. After the conductivity is given to the surface of an electrical insulating substrate such as ceramics by sequentially performing an etching treatment, an activating treatment and an electroless plating treatment to the electrical insulating substrate, an alloy film containing mainly nickel and phosphorus is formed by not an electroless plating process but an electrolytic plating process. By adopting the electrolytic plating process, a film thickness of the formed alloy film of the middle part on the surface of the insulating substrate is thinner than that of the alloy film of the corner or ridge parts on the surface of the insulating substrate, and the thin part of the film thickness serves as a suitable fusing start part when applying an overload.

Abstract: A zinc-iron-phosphorus alloy-plating bath having a pH of not less than 13 and containing iron, phosphorus and zinc sources in amounts required for electro-depositing a zinc-iron-phosphorus alloy film having an iron content ranging from 0.1 to 30% by weight, a phosphorus content ranging from 0.001 to 1.5% by weight and the balance of zinc, and an auxiliary agent for depositing phosphorus. The use of the alkaline plating bath permits the formation of a zinc-iron-phosphorus alloy film, through plating, excellent in lustre of deposit, throwing power and corrosion resistance and the reduction in corrosion of the plating equipment and also permits the formation of a film, through plating, having excellent adhesion as an undercoat for painting.

Abstract: Aluminum and aluminum alloy parts, such as pistons, are electroplated with iron employing a ferrous electroplating solution. The solution comprises (a) ferrous iron having a concentration ranging from about 0.65 to 2.0 Moles of Fe.sup.2+ per liter of solution; (b) at least one anion selected from the group consisting of sulfamate and ammonium sulfate and associated with the Fe.sup.2+ ions; (c) a reducing agent, such as ascorbic acid, in an amount sufficient to prevent oxidation of Fe.sup.2+ to Fe.sup.3+ ; (d) Cl.sup.- anion in an amount sufficient to promote dissolution of the iron anode; and (e) a wetting agent in an amount sufficient to prevent pitting of the aluminum cathode. The ferrous electroplating bath of the present invention permits plating of relatively thick layers of iron on aluminum, typically on the order of about 0.6 to 2 mils (0.0015 to 0.0051 cm), with a microhardness of at least about 40 (Rockwell C scale).