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Physical properties of the NiP/SiC deposits are discussed according to the electroplating parameters and heat treatments. The insertion of silicon carbide in the coatings does not modify their rigidity (E = 230 GPa), increases their hardness slightly (50 Vickers) and decreases the residual stresses in coatings. The phosphorus content has a major effect on the structure and the physical properties. Indeed, insertion of phosphorus into the deposits generates a grain size reduction or even an amorphisation which results in morphological modifications observed by AFM. In parallel a very important hardening is associated with incorporation of phosphorus: hardness is multiplied by 3 to reach 600 HV0.1. The deposits tend to become crystalline following the heat treatments. With 420 • C, the precipitation ofaNi 3 P phase which distorts the crystal lattice is observed, increasing the hardness of the deposits.

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