MICROHARDNESS AND CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF ELECTRODEPOSITED IRON FILMS FROM IRON(II) CHLORIDE SOLUTION

The relationships between microhardness and crystal structure were studied with respect to electrodeposited iron films obtained from iron (II) chloride solution under various electrolytic conditions. The deposits with a lower microhardness showed a preferred orientation of the (110) plane and the microhardness and the orientation indel of the (110) plane were represented by an approximately linear relationship. In order to obtain the deposits with a lower microhardness, it is necessary to electrolyte at a lower current density, at a higher temperature and in a solution with higher pH The deposits obtained showed large crystal grains having a preferred orientation of the (110) plane. A clear dependence between microhardness and the crystal structure of the deposits was presented.