Effects of niobium pentoxide nanoparticles on the tribological properties of electrodeposited ZnNi coatings

Abstract

Electrodeposited ZnNi coatings are widely used to improve the corrosion resistance of steel substrates, but their tribological properties are also relevant for loaded contacts under relative motion. This work investigates the hypothesis of improving tribological properties of electrodeposited ZnNi coatings via dispersion of niobium pentoxide nanoparticles (1g/L) in the electrolytic bath. The niobium pentoxide nanoparticles were produced via hydrothermal synthesis assisted by microwave. The surface morphology and chemical composition of the coatings were analysed by scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray dispersive energy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The tribological performance of the coatings was assessed using dry reciprocating ball-on-flat tests at normal loads between 3 and 6 N. The use of niobium pentoxide nanoparticles resulted in significantly denser coatings, with some Nb incorporated in the coated surfaces. Under the lowest normal load, all coated specimens showed relatively low friction (~0.2) and negligible damag. As the normal load increased, the coating produced using niobium pentoxide nanoparticles showed stronger adherence, while conventional ZnNi coating showed increased friction and spalling for the highest load. It is believed that the Nb2O5 nanoparticles increased the number of sites for heterogeneous nucleation, refining the microstructure, so that tougher and more adherent coatings were produced.

Effects of nano-SiO2 and trivalent chromium conversion on corrosion resistance of NiZn-plated steel: towards a multilayer coating for steel protection

“…Other authors also studied the corrosion and wear resistances of Zn-Ni-SiO 2 composite coatings (Tuaweri et al, 2014a;Tuaweri et al, 2014b). Similarity, adding other nanoparticles, such as Sm 2 O 3 , niobium pentoxide, aluminium oxide nanoparticles, on the Zn-Ni bath, also enhanced the corrosion resistance of the coatings (El Boraei and Ibrahim, 2022;Moreira et al, 2022;Kannan et al, 2023). Loading inhibitors to the nanoparticles/nanocontainers before adding them to the plating electrolytic bath have been developed by our group recently to extend further corrosion resistance of ZnNi coating system (Nguyen et al, 2020;Huong et al, 2021).…”

Deterministic Simulation of Surface Textures for the Piston Ring/Cylinder Liner System in a Free Piston Linear Engine

“…In view of the new challenges that the energy transition imposes [1], the search for mobility systems with lower friction losses is often linked to individual or combined actions of (i) development and use of materials and coatings that provide lower friction [2,3]; (ii) development and use of new lubricants, for example, new additive packages and/or lower viscosity lubricants [4,5]; and (iii) changes in the topography of the surfaces in contact, aiming at operating in lubrication regimes that result in less friction [6][7][8].…”

Nb2O5nano and microspheres fabricated by laser ablation

“…Researchers put extensive work on niobium and its composites due to their properties and applications. Niobium oxide is considered safe and has chemical inertness, and is also thermo-dynamically stable and low in cytotoxicity [6,7]. In addition, Nb 2 O 5 can be used to protect materials from UV radiation due to its ability to absorb UV light with a wavelength around 385 nm [8][9][10].…”