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

The relationship between microhardness and crystal structure was studi ed 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 index of the (110) p lane were represented by an approximately linear relationship. In orde r to obtain the deposits with a lower microhardness, it is necessary t o electrolyze under a lower current density, at a higher temperature, and in the solution with higher pH. The deposits obtained showed large crystal grains having a preferred orientation of the (110) plane. A d ependence was revealed between microhardness and crystal structure of the deposits.