Electrodeposition of Ni and Co metals under low gravity conditions was
investigated, with emphasis on Ni. Custom designed experimental packa
ges aboard sounding rockets were utilized for this purpose. Four missi
ons were employed each providing 7 min of electrodeposition at similar
to 10(-4) g. Several deposition conditions were studied including cur
rent density, electrolyte composition, substrate nature and deposition
cell configuration. High current deposition, encompassing or exceedin
g 80 mA cm(-2) produced Ni films in the nanocrystalline size range in
a reduced gravity environment. Under the same conditions, Earth-produc
ed deposits were crystalline and discontinuous. The convectionless dep
osition, achieved in low gravity, produced structural anomalies in Ni
under specific conditions. Process efficiency and corrosion behaviour
for the surfaces were also different in the two environments. The low
gravity environment did not affect the electrochemical factors influen
cing Co deposition for the limited conditions we were able to study. N
o structural differences were observed between Co deposits in the two
environments.