A study of zinc electroplating process on mild steel in soil water environment application

Abstract

The effect of current density applied to the electroplating process will influence on the surface of mild steel has been investigate by using artificial soil water (CaSO₄.2H₂O). The current density used for this study is 2, 4 and 6 A/dm³ at the same plating time which is 20 minutes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been used to observe the surface morphology of the plated surface. The visual observation prove that 6 A/dm³ is the best plating on the surface of mild steel due to the brightness that prove zinc plating was available. While, to detect the intensity peak of the favourable materials is by using x-ray diffraction (XRD). Vickers hardness test has been used to determined the strength of the surface on mild steel. The exposure days will gives result about the weight loss. The plated mild steel were then subjected to artificial soil water for 30 days. The result shows the different in weight loss and uniform corrosion formed on the surface of mild steel. Thus it will conclude that the more higher current density used, the increase in the plating thickness and the surface on mild steel will stand longer duration before it will corroded.