A review of the electrodeposition of metal matrix composite coatings by inclusion of particles in a metal layer: an established and diversifying technology

Abstract

Following a brief overview of their history, which dates back to the 1920s with marked developments during the 1960s and 1970s, the principles of composite coatings, achieved by including particles dispersed in a bath into a growing electrodeposited metal layer, are considered. The principles and role of electroplating compared to other techniques for realising such coatings, are considered. A good quality particle dispersion (often aided by a suitable type and concentration of surfactants) appropriate choice of work-piece shape/geometry and controlled agitation in the bath are seen to be prerequisites for achieving uniform coatings having a well-dispersed particle content by electroplating. Examples are provided to illustrate the influence of bath composition and plating conditions on deposit properties. Engineering applications of included particle composite layers are illustrated by examples of hard ceramic, soft ceramic and polymer inclusion composite coatings from the recent literature. Current trends in the development of composite plated coatings are summarised and their diverse applications are seen to include the use of finely structured (especially nanostructured) and functionally active particles together with hybrid and more complex, e.g. hierarchical, structures for applications ranging from tribology to speciality electronics, magnetic and electrochemical energy conversion materials.

Versatile electrochemical coatings and surface layers from aqueous methanesulfonic acid

“…electrodeposition of the metal with included PTFE particles although this is well established by combining electroplating of metal with electrophoretic particle incorporation via judicious selection of surfactants to achieve a stable polymer dispersion, in the case of Ni-PTFE from acid sulphate and sulfamate baths [70], making MSA an easy choice of electrolyte to realise a single bath for composite deposition [71].…”

Zn-Al₂O₃ Composites with High Aluminum Content and Nanostructured Al₂O₃/ZnO Prepared by Electrochemical Technique from Non-Suspended Solution

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] Composite electrodeposits have been prepared by dispersing particles in the metal matrices. The co-deposition mechanism of particles was reported to be composed of two steps, namely, the adsorption of metal ions on the particles and the subsequent reduction of the adsorbed ions on cathode surfaces.…”

Preparation and Characterization of Ni–TiO2 Nanocomposite Coatings Produced by Electrodeposition Technique

“…Electrochemical deposition from aqueous electrolyte solutions gained importance as an attractive and versatile surface finishing technique. This technique has been considered as one of the outstanding techniques for producing composites due to remarkable advantages, such as simplicity, low cost, high deposition rate, uniformity of thickness, high purity, low porosity, no shape limitations, ease control of microstructure, and chemical composition of the deposits (Benea et al, 2014;Goldasteh and Rastegari, 2014;Walsh and Leon, 2014;Beltowska-Lehman et al, 2016), and can be conducted at normal pressure and ambient temperature with low cost, high deposition rates, and homogenous particle distribution (Gül et al, 2012). Electrodeposition of composite coatings for the production of metal matrix composites is composed of a metal matrix electrolyte and dispersed second phase particles (Yang et al, 2009).…”