Influence of the particle size on the mechanical and electrochemical behaviour of micro- and nano-nickel matrix composite coatings

The aim of this work is the production and characterization of composite nickel matrix electrodeposits. Pure nickel and composite nickel matrix deposits containing either micro- or nano-particles of silicon carbide were prepared using a Watts type bath. The electrodeposition was carried out under both direct and pulse current conditions at different frequencies. With the same quantity of powder in the bath, the embedded micro-powder content is about 25-30%w while the nano-powder content is always less than 1%w. The mechanical properties of the nano-composites increases despite the low ceramic content. SEM micrographs of the microstructure and XRD-line profile analysis show that the presence of ceramic powder in both baths changes the crystallisation process leading to enhanced mechanical properties even at ceramic contents less than 1%, as in the nano-composite case. The presence of the ceramic phase and changes in the microstructure both decrease the mass loss during abrasion by up to 70% for micro-composites and 45% for nano-composites.