Electrodeposition and Characterization of Ni-Al2O3 Nanocomposite Coatings on Steel

Monodispersed alumina particles were synthesized by the homogeneous precipitation under reflux boiling. The particles were employed as reinforcement additives in the electrodeposited Ni-Al2O3 composite coatings on steel. The deposited pure Ni and Ni-Al2O3 composite coatings were analyzed by SEM, XRD, and microhardness tester. The wear resistance and friction coefficient of the coated samples were determined by using a ball-on-disk tribometer. Furthermore, XRD analysis showed that coating temperature and the presence of particles in the deposited coatings had a noticeable effect on the preferred orientation of the crystalline faces of the nickel grains. Significant differences were noted in the texture coefficient of the pure Ni and Ni-Al2O3 composite coatings produced at different temperatures. These differences were attributed to the changes in the microstructure of the matrix caused by the embedded Al2O3 particles. Results revealed that wear resistance and the friction coefficient were turned out to be higher and smaller, respectively, for the composite coatings as compared to pure Ni coating at a given sliding distance. It was noted that the corrosion resistance of these specimens increased in the following order: bare substrate < pure Ni coating < Ni-Al2O3 nanocomposite coatings.