Microscale Hardness of Acidic Electroless Ni-P/Ni-P-SiC Nano Composite Depositions
Keywords:
Coatings, Electroless, Ni-P-SIC, SEM, EDAX, Hardness.Abstract
The ELNi-P along with Ni-P-SiCnano-composite coatings were plated on mild steel (AISI1040) substrates
effectively. The ultrafine SiC particles with nano-size range of 50-70 nm as second phaseparticles were co-
incerted intoan acidic electroless Ni-P bath. The SiC nano-particles of 4 gpl concentration were used for co-
deposition into an EL Ni-P bath. The sodium hypophosphite particularly is selected as a reducer in chemical
reactions. After two hours completion of platings, the as-coated EL Ni-P/Ni-P-SiC platings were heat treated at
400C in argon (Ar) environment for lone one hour period. As coating time increases thickness of coating also
increases. The thickness of coating for all samples is found in between of range 20 to 25 micrometer. Further the
micro-structure along with micro-hardness of as-deposited and heated coupons and were investigated for surface
morphology by FESEM and EDAX respectively. The randomly dispersal of SiC nano-particles into the EL Ni-
P-matrix is shown for 4gpl by micro-structural results. Insertion of ultrafine SiC particles into Ni-P matrix, it
appears that size of Ni/Ni-P grainthroughout plating process reduced and introverted the grain growth for the
period of the heat treatment. The micro-hardness at HV30 scale was improved significantly by adding up of
especially SiC nano-particles into acidic Ni-P electroless bath after heated at 400 C for time of one hour. The
increment in hardness of Ni-P-SiC nano-composite coatings against Ni-P coating is explained
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