Abstract: Electroless Ni-P-Zn alloys deposited from alkali bath were investigated in this paper. The deposition bath contained nickel sulfate, zinc chloride and hypophosphate. The process parameters, such as temperature, pH and zinc salt concentration were presented and discussed. The microstructure of the coatings was studied by XRD and SEM. The cathode glowing discharge characters of Ni-P-Zn depositions were studied with luminous Neon lamps. Electrodes deposited by electroless Ni-P alloys were apt to sputter during luminous working hours. Electroless Ni-P-Zn depositions improved the discharge characters of the electrodes. With the concentration of zinc in the deposition rising to 4wt, electrode sputter was largely restrained. The thickness of the deposition also influenced the discharge characters of the electrode. To avoid electrode sputter, the concentration of zinc has to rise with the thickness of the depositions.

Key words: elctroless Ni-P-Zn alloy, electrode sputter, cathode glowing descharge