Production of Pure Iron Strip Specimens by Electrodeposition from a Chloride Bath for Use in Tensile Tests

In the present work we have developed an optimised process for the preparation of high-quality pure iron strip samples with preset and uniform structure, without void defects. This is achieved by using the eletrolytic method for preparing iron samples from a chloride bath. During electrodeposition hydrogen evolution (as a side reaction) diminishes the quality of the deposit. Attached bubbles shield the electrode surface and prevent metal deposition. The process described herein finds a solution by creating favorable hydrodynamic conditions inside the electrolytic cell to facilitate the rapid removal of hydrogen bubbles from the surface of the cathode. To improve wetting of the cathode surface, several surfactant additives were studied. As a result of the experiments a suitable surfactant was found. Further tests indicate that a change in the chemical composition does not occur with the addition of the surfactant, therefore it does not incorporate in the product. The microstructure of the samples is modified by annealing to achieve reproducible crystal grain size and morphology that allows the specimens to be used for mechanical tests.