Studies on non-cyanide alkaline zinc electrolytes

An alkaline non-cyanide zinc plating solution consisting of 10 g/l zinc oxide, 90 g/l sodium hydroxide and 1.5 g/l gelatine was prepared . Using this solution, a smooth, uniform and fine-grained semi-bright deposit was obtained on mild steel sheets over a wide range of current density and pH at 303 K. The plating bath had about 63% current efficiency and 25% throwing power at 303 K and at pH 10. Caffeine and vanillin additions to this bath gave bright zinc deposits. Received: 30 January 1998 / Accepted: 15 May 1998