Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 March 2011
Electrochemical deposition of FeCo alloys with 1:1 atomic ratio has proved difficult due to cracking from high stress. By using a sulfamate electrolyte and optimizing other deposition parameters, we successfully electrodeposited high quality FeCo films of 20-25 mm in thickness and 7 mm in diameter. Using a suspension of hard oxide nanoparticles (25 nm TiO2) in the electrolyte, we produced oxide-dispersion-strengthened FeCo/TiO2 nanocomposite films with large grains. Enhanced strength was observed from these nanocomposites relative to pure FeCo alloys as determined from Knoop hardness measurements. In order to further improve the ductility of the alloys, vanadium has been codeposited with FeCo. Some preliminary results of FeCoV alloy deposition are reported.