Study the Effect of Diffusion Heat Treatments for Nickel Electroplating on the Surface Hardness of 7075 Aluminum Alloy

Abstract

In this research a surface hardening process by Ni coating and subsequent diffusion heat treatments was studied at 7075 Aluminum alloy. Nickel coatings with different thickness were obtained by change the coating time and current density. Heat treatments at 450 °C, 500 °C, and 550 °C for times (6, 12, 24) hours were performed in order to obtain surface hardening required of the aluminum alloy by diffusion of nickel into the substrate. The effect of temperature and diffusion time on surface hardness of Al 7075 alloy was studied. Surface hardness about 800 [HV] were achieved after heat treatment at 500 °C for 24 hour by diffusion of Ni in the substrate and cause of formation of Al3Ni2 intermetallic phase, as x-ray diffraction tests of samples showed. While is about 670 [HV] after heat treatment at 550 °C for 24 hour because of diffusion of aluminum toward the surface of sample, as x-ray diffraction tests of samples showed.