NOVELTY - Cathode suitable for hydrogen evolution in electrolytic processes comprises a conductive substrate coated with a first intermediate protective layer, a catalytic layer and a second external protective layer, where the first and second protective layer comprises an alloy consisting of at least one metal selected between nickel, cobalt and chromium, at least one non-metal selected between phosphorus and boron and optionally a transition element selected between tungsten and rhenium.    USE - As cathode suitable for hydrogen evolution in electrolytic processes (claimed); and in electrolytic cells for instance as hydrogen-evolving cathode in chlor-alkali cells.    ADVANTAGE - The deposition of compact and coherent layers of the metal alloys externally to the catalytic layer and at the same time between catalytic layer and substrate favors the catalyst anchoring to a surprising extent, without the additional ohmic drop significantly affecting the electrode potential. In the cathode, at least one of the two protective layers consists of an alloy which can be deposited by autocatalytic chemical reduction. This type of manufacturing procedure has the advantage of being easily applicable to substrates of various geometries such as solid, perforated or expanded sheets as well as meshes, optionally of very reduced thickness, without having to introduce changes to the manufacturing process as a function of the various geometries and sizes, as would happen in the case of a galvanic deposition. Moreover, the electroless deposition is suited to substrates of several kinds of metals used in the production of cathodes, for instance nickel, copper, zirconium and various types of steels such as stainless steels. The specific loading of the first protective layer, that is the interlayer directly contacting the metal substrate, is lower, for instance being about one half, than the specific loading of the second outermost protective layer. The specific loading of the interlayer is 5-15 g/m2 and the specific loading of the external protective layer is 10-30 g/m2. The above specified loadings are sufficient to obtain macroscopically compact and coherent layers conferring a proper anchoring of the catalytic layer to the base and a protection from the aggressive action of the electrolyte, without hampering the mass transport of the same electrolyte to the catalytic sites and the release of hydrogen evolved by the cathodic reaction.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a method for manufacturing the cathode involving: a) electroless deposition of the first protective layer by contacting the conductive substrate with at least one first solution, gel or ionic liquid containing the precursors of the alloy; b) application of the catalytic layer by thermal decomposition of at least one catalyst precursor solution in at least one cycle; and c) electroless deposition of the second protective layer by contacting the conductive substrate provided with a catalytic layer with at least one second solution, gel or ionic liquid containing the precursors of the alloy.