A facile fabrication of Ag/SiC composite coating with high mechanical properties and corrosion resistance by electroless plating

The main objective of this research is to develop an Ag-based composite coating with enhanced performance on copper substrate. The pure Ag coating was improved by incorporating SiC particles as reinforcing phases using electroless plating technology. The coatings were characterized using SEM, EDS, and XRD to examine their morphology, chemical composition, and phase structure. The mechanical properties, resistivity, and corrosion properties of the coated samples were investigated by the Vickers microhardness test, frictional test, conductivity test, and electrochemical measurements. These results were then compared to those obtained from Cu substrates and pure silver coating under identical testing conditions. The experimental results indicate that the Ag/SiC composite coatings that were prepared have a surface morphology that is both dense and uniform. The addition of SiC in the coating was found to significantly improve its microhardness, as well as reduce its friction coefficient in comparison to a pure silver coating. In addition, during corrosion testing, the Ag/SiC composite coating exhibited excellent corrosion resistance.