Fe-Pd alloy films containing about 30 at.% Pd were electrochemically deposited using a double complexed ammonia-sulfosalicylic acid based aqueous electrolyte. The impact of individual electrolyte components on the structure, morphology and composition of the films has been investigated by means of XRD, EDX and electrochemical methods. Significant changes in the phase structure were observed when varying the electrolyte pH, the concentration of SSA or adding small amounts of Cu2+ ions to the electrolyte. The results are discussed in terms of the direct electrochemical preparation of a shape memory active material. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.