Rajendran, R. (2013). Phase composition, microstructure and microhardness of electroless nickel composite coating co-deposited with SiC on cast aluminium LM24 alloy substrate. Surface and Coatings Technology, 235,[755][756][757][758][759][760][761][762][763]
600048, IndiaAbstract: Electroless Ni-P (EN) and composite Ni-P-SiC (ENC) coatings were developed on cast aluminium alloy substrate, LM24. The coating phase composition, microstructure and microhardness were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and microhardness tester, respectively, on as-plated and heat-treated specimens. The original microstructure of the Ni-P matrix is not affected by the inclusion of the hard particles SiC. No formation of Ni-Si phase was observed up to 500°C of heat treatment. The microhardness is increased on incorporation of SiC in Ni-P matrix. The hardening mechanism is the formation of intermetallic phase Ni3P on annealing at elevated temperature.