Simulation and characterization of Ni-doped SiC nanocoatings prepared by jet electrodeposition

Ni-doped SiC nanocoatings were successfully prepared by jet electrodeposition in this paper. Jet fluid process was simulated by using FLUENT software, and the microstructure, corrosion behavior and mechanical properties of the nanocoatings were examined through the use of scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrochemical workstation and triboindenter nanomechanical tester. Results indicated that when nozzle diameter was <138 mm, maximum jet rate and kinetic energy were 113 m/s and 543 m(2)/s(2), respectively. SEM and XRD results demonstrated that Ni-doped SiC nanocoatings produced at Phi 8 mm had fine, uniform and smooth microstructure, and average grain diameters of Ni and SiC were 344 nm and 75 nm, respectively. Among three diameters of nickel nozzles considered, Ni-doped SiC nanocoating produced at Phi 8 mm had minimum average corrosion current density of 0.66 x 10(-4) A/cm(2), thereby indicating the best corrosion resistance. Ni-doped SiC nanocoating deposited at a diameter of Phi 8 mm exhibited the highest nanohardness (similar to 33.4 GPa) among all three coatings, whereas the coating prepared at Phi 4 mm had the lowest nanohardness (similar to 23.7 GPa).