The work aims to improve the adhesionadhesion between the electrolytic nickel starting sheet and substrate, increase corrosion resistance of the coating and improve the coating quality. The coating was prepared by applying different activation processes to surface of the substrate. The adhesion between the coating and substrate was tested by the grid method. Section morphology of the coating and substrate was observed by using field emission scanning electron microscope. Phase composition, stress and grain size of the coating were analyzed by using X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Corrosion resistance of the coating was tested by using electrochemical workstation. After the substrate was treated by activation process, the coating and substrate were uniformly, compactly and completely adhered. The activation has caused a substantial increase in adhesion of the coating and substrate adhesion and coating quality. Internal stress of the coating layer decreased from 287.2 MPa to 220.0 MPa. In addition, activation process did not introduce other impurity elements to the coating and change grain size. After the electrochemical performance test was performed, corrosion resistance of the coating increased, and self corrosion potential increased from ?0.5481 V to ?0.3980 V; self corrosion current density decreased from 9.941 μA/cm2 to 2.927 μA/cm2. After activation treatment of titanium substrate, a thin layer of activated film takes form, the activated film improves the adhesion of metal electrodeposited layer and titanium substrate by increasing surface activity and changing surface state of titanium substrate. Moreover, overall performance of the coating is also improved.