Enhanced performance of electrodeposited Ni-SiC plating as an alternative to electroplated chromium deposits: the effect of pulse duty cycle

Abstract

Ni-SiC composite coating was prepared by electrodeposition under the pulse current as an alternative for the environment polluted and human cancerogenic hard chromium plating. The microstructure and tribological performance of the composite coating under different duty cycle were studied. The results showed that the mechanical performance of the Ni-SiC can be optimized by adjusting the pulse duty cycle. With the increase of the duty cycle, the grains were refined and the friction coefficient of the coating decreased. Composite coating obtained under 80 % duty cycle processed the lowest wear volume during the friction and wear test. The effect of duty cycle on the microstructure and tribological performance of the composite coating was discussed. Moreover, the co-deposition mechanism of Ni atoms and the SiC particles under the pulse current were discussed.

Impact of Magnetic Field Direction on Performance and Structure of Ni-Co-SiC Coatings Fabricated via Magnetic-Field-Induced Electrodeposition

“…The outstanding resistance to corrosion, abrasion, and pyro-oxidation showed by Ni-Co-SiC coatings can be ascribed to the inclusion of SiC particles [13,14]. However, the magnetic direction impact on the characteristics of Ni-Co-SiC coatings has not been extensively explored.…”