Study of sulfur embrittlement in electroformed Ni-Re alloy

Although the amount of cathodic absorption sulfur (sulfur content) was enha nced by the presence of rhenium in electroformed nickel, superior ductility of the Ni-Re alloy deposits obtained from saccharin-free baths was determi ned, even when the deposits were treated at 400 degreesC. On the other hand , owing to the presence of saccharin in the alloy baths changed the banded microstructure of the alloy deposit to granular microstructure after 400 de greesC thermal treatment, resulting in sulfur embrittlement even the sulfur content was only about 100 ppm. Deposit microstructures, X-ray diffraction patterns, and ductility data were investigated to evaluate the effect of r henium and saccharin on sulfur embrittlement in the alloy deposits. In addi tion, the effect of rhenium and sulfur on deposit hardness was also studied . (C) 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers.