Tribological and Morphological Evaluation of Ni-P and Ni-P/D Coatings

Abstract

The tribological characteristics of Electroless Ni-P and Ni-P/D (diamond) coatings were studied and analysed against AISI 52100 steel ball under dry reciprocating sliding conditions. Low and High Phosphorus Ni-P alloy coatings were deposited on steel substrate by Electroless deposition technique. Diamond particles were successfully reinforced into Ni-P matrix to produce Ni-P/D composite coatings. All coatings were subjected to heat treatment at 400°. The micro-hardness, surface features and elemental composition of the coatings was analysed. The surface morphology of Ni-P and Ni-P/D coatings is detailed. Presence of dia mond particles in Ni-P matrix was confirmed by EDS analysis. Dry sliding wear tests showed a significant enhancement in wear resistance of Ni-P/D composite coatings compared to Ni-P coatings. Experimental results indicate that combined effect of diamond particles reinforcement and heat treatment play a crucial role in modifying the surface characteristics and tribological performance of the Ni-P coatings.

Friction and wear behaviour of BN(h) and Ag incorporated nickel phosphorous coatings under dry reciprocating sliding conditions

“…Ni–P composite coatings were fabricated on the catalytic surface through controlled chemical reduction of metallic ions by a reduction agent (sodium hypophosphite) and simultaneous co-deposition of particulate matter [3]. Researchers incorporated various particles such as Al 2 O 3 [4], Si 3 N 4 [5,6], Diamond [7,8], Graphite [9], MoS 2 [10], B 4 C [11], PTFE [12], hBN [13], TiO 2 [14], CNT [15] in the Ni–P matrix to enhance the functional (mechanical, corrosion resistance and tribological) characteristics. Several research findings also demonstrated that heat treatment at temperatures above 320°C was an effective method for improving the mechanical and wear resistance properties of Ni–P composite coatings [16].…”