ABSTRACT
Most of the metals that can be deposited alone can also be added to some extent to nickel (Ni). The idea of adding various alloying elements in electroless Ni comes naturally to anyone knowing the process: the presence of phosphorus or boron in the Ni coating causes significant modification in its properties in a positive way. Ternary electroless Ni alloys can thus be defined as alloys in which a third alloying element can be added voluntarily in controllable amounts to an electroless Ni coating. The properties of cobalt are very close to those of nickel, and it is also a ferromagnetic element. Moreover, the element can be deposited by electroless plating in solutions very similar to Ni. Cobalt is one of the most popular addition elements in electroless Ni coatings and has been the object of many studies. The plating solutions used for the deposition of ternary Ni-Co-P coatings are based on sulfate metallic salts and contain usually sodium tricitrate.
