Wear Behavior of Ni-Based Composite Coatings with Dual Nano-SiC: Graphite Powder Mix

Abstract

This work explores the surface protection against wear provided by electroplated metal matrix composite coatings containing hard and lubricant particles. The second phase mix was selected to provide wear resistance by hardening the material and decreasing the friction coefficient. In this study, the capacity of providing wear protection by nano-SiC and self-lubrication by submicron graphite was addressed. Nickel-based composites with a dual powder mix of SiC 60 nm and graphite 400 nm, combined on a 10:10 g L−1 ratio, were produced by electrocodeposition. In addition, to better understand their synergy, mono-composites with SiC 60 nm or Graphite 400 nm with a powder load of 10 g L−1 were also produced. Pure nickel was also electrodeposited under the same conditions as a benchmark. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) maps and chemical composition analysis were used to correlate the results from microhardness, wear resistance, and friction to the microstructure and particle incorporation rate. The wear rate tested by pin-on-disc decreased when the codeposition fraction and microhardness increased. Three main factors were determined to contribute to the coating hardness: Intrinsic hardness of the particle type, strengthening by grain refinement, and dispersion strengthening. The composites containing SiC provided the best wear protection due to the highest microhardness and grain refinement.

Strengthening mechanisms and wear behavior of electrodeposited Ni–SiC nanocomposite coatings

“…Due to such treatment, surface-treated SiC50 and SiC60 resulted in a similar codeposition rate [15]. The decrease in powder load of as-produced SiC60 from 20 to 10 g L -1 reduced the particle content to 1.6 vol% [16] from 4.5 vol% [15], showing the importance of the role of particles load in the plating bath in codeposition, as was also observed in previous studies [35][36][37].…”

“…In the present study, microindentation and advanced microstructural analyses were used to define the strengthening mechanisms present in electrodeposited nickel-based composite coatings produced under comparable conditions in previous studies [13][14][15][16][17]. Different pure nickel deposits electroplated under various current densities were used to establish a Hall-Petch relationship and define the contribution of the grain size hardening effect of the matrix in the electrodeposits [18] driven by electric currents: the finer the grains the harder is the resulting material due to the increase effect of grain boundaries as impediment to the dislocation movements.…”

Research on the Electrodeposition of Graphene Quantum Dots under Supercritical Conditions to Enhance Nickel-Based Composite Coatings

“…An appropriate silicon and titanium dioxide content improves the hardness and corrosion resistance of the coating. In recent years, preparing metal-based composite coatings with excellent performance using graphene and graphene oxide as reinforcing phases has attracted research interest [6][7][8]. GQDs are graphene sheets of less than 100 nm, a new type of zero-dimensional carbon-based nanomaterials.…”

Experimental Wear Behavior Analysis of Coated Spindle Hook Teeth under Real Harvesting Work Conditions

“…Meng used the spindle material as a substrate, applied chromium and nickel coatings on its surface, and tested the tribological properties of these coatings under different working conditions. Under dry friction conditions, the friction and wear mechanisms of the chromium coating did not conform to the wear behavior of the spindle during field work, while the nickel coating could be used to strengthen the spindle [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Thereafter, researchers observed the wear failure surface morphology of spindle hook teeth via scanning electron microscopy (SEM); they pointed out that the wear failure of spindle hook teeth was caused by abrasive wear [ 13 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”