Growth of iron single crystals in the etched ion tracks of polymer foils

Pulse reverse electrolysis in an ultrasonic field is used to grow iron single crystals of micron size in templates formed by etching the tracks of swift ions in polymer foils. High-grade crystals are produced from high-temperature ferrous chloride baths. The crystals are oriented along their <110>, <100>, and <111> crystallographic axes. Their orientation turns out to depend on supersaturation during the growing process. At low overvoltages of deposition, <110> and <100> orientations are observed. The crystals of <111> orientation appear more frequently at higher cathode pulse current density. The crystals possess prominent resistance to corrosion. Received: 20 February 2001 / Accepted: 21 February 2001 / Published online: 3 May 2001