Effect of pulse current on wear behavior of Ni matrix micro-and nano-SiC composite coatings at room and elevated temperature

This work presents the effect of the pulse-current on the wear behavior of Ni/nSiC and Ni/μSiC electrodeposits. The deposits microstructure and SiC content were investigated by means of microstructural, crystallographic e chemical analysis. The mechanical properties were evaluated through microhardness measurements. Ball-on-disc tests were performed at both room temperature and 300 °C. Wear rate and mechanisms were determined by morphological and microscopical characterization. The composite-coatings produced under pulse current present enhanced hardness and wear resistance, at both temperatures, linked to microstructural refinement and SiC content. The main wear mechanism observed was triboxidation, accompanied by abrasive wear mainly on the micro-composite coatings.