Effect of Pulse and Direct Current Electrodeposition on Microstructure, Surface, and Scratch Resistance Properties of Ni-W Alloy and Ni-W-SiC Composite Coatings

doi:10.1007/s40195-020-01098-w

Abstract

Abstract:

The present work aims to study the influence of direct current and pulse current techniques as well as embedded SiC nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of the electrodeposited Ni-W coating. The electrodeposited coatings were studied for morphological, microstructural, mechanical, and scratch resistance properties using the surface roughness tester, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Vickers microhardness, and scratch tester. Application of pulse current exhibited relatively homogeneous and smooth surface of the coatings. A remarkable increment of microhardness was observed in both Ni-W and Ni-W-SiC coatings prepared under pulse current as compared to the direct current technique. Similarly, the scratch test revealed a considerable improvement in the scratch resistance behavior of the Ni-W alloy and the composite coatings from the pulsed current condition. Hence, the application of pulse current not only improved the surface- and microstructure-related properties but also enhanced the Vickers microhardness and scratch resistance properties of the coatings. In addition, the reduction in micro-cracks revealed the improvement in scratch resistance properties of the coatings due to the incorporated SiC nanoparticles into the Ni-W alloy matrix.

Key words: Ni-W-SiC composite, Surface, Microstructure, Microhardness, Scratch resistance

Sami Bin Humam, Gobinda Gyawali, Dhani Ram Dhakal, Jin-Hyuk Choi, Soo Wohn Lee. Effect of Pulse and Direct Current Electrodeposition on Microstructure, Surface, and Scratch Resistance Properties of Ni-W Alloy and Ni-W-SiC Composite Coatings[J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2020, 33(10): 1321-1330.

Figures/Tables 13

Table 1 Experimental bath formulation

Composition	Concentration	Purpose
NiSO₄·6H₂O (mol)	0.075	Ni source
Na₂WO₄·2H₂O (mol)	0.112	W source
Na₃C₆H₅O₇·H₂O (mol)	0.187	Complexing agent
NH₄Cl (mol)	0.5	Buffer
NaBr (mol)	0.6	Conductivity
SDS (g/L)	0.3	Surfactant
SiC particles (g/L)	0,20	Composite phase

Table 2 Electrodeposition conditions

Temperature (°C)	Electrodeposition time (min)	Current density (mA/cm²)	Stirring/agitation (rpm)	Anode	Cathode
65	60	80	180	Graphite	Copper

Fig. 1 XRD patterns of a Ni-W and Ni-W-SiC coatings, b corresponding higher magnification of (111) peak

Table 3 Grain size and lattice strain of Ni-W and Ni-W-SiC composite coatings

Samples	Grain size (nm)	Lattice strain (%)
Ni-W DC	12	0.0876
Ni-W PC	8.5	0.1185
Ni-W-SiC DC	9.2	0.1111
Ni-W-SiC PC	9.1	0. 1124

Fig. 2 SEM images of the surface morphologies of a Ni-W DC, c Ni-W PC coatings; b, d their corresponding higher-magnification images

Fig. 3 SEM images of the surface morphologies of a Ni-W-SiC DC, c Ni-W-SiC PC coatings; b, d their corresponding higher-magnification images

Table 4 Surface roughness profiles of Ni-W and Ni-W-SiC composite coatings

Samples	R_a (μm)	R_q (μm)	R_max (μm)
Ni-W DC	0.358	0.704	2.375
Ni-W PC	0.224	0.344	1.677
Ni-W-SiC DC	1.170	1.496	7.519
Ni-W-SiC PC	0.735	0.920	4.324

Fig. 4 EDS spectra of: a Ni-W DC, b Ni-W PC, c Ni-W-SiC DC, d Ni-W-SiC PC coatings

Fig. 5 SEM images of the cross sections of a Ni-W DC, b Ni-W PC, c Ni-W-SiC DC, d Ni-W-SiC PC coatings

Fig. 6 Variation of Vickers microhardness of the coatings

Fig. 7 Coefficient of friction obtained during the scratch test of Ni-W and Ni-W-SiC coatings

Fig. 8 Acoustic emission signals recorded during the scratch test of Ni-W and Ni-W-SiC coatings

Fig. 9 Collated SEM images of the worn surfaces of a Ni-W DC, b Ni-W PC, c Ni-W-SiC DC, d Ni-W-SiC PC coatings after scratch test

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