Fabrication and Characterization of Electrodeposited Ni-SiC-h/BN Composite Coatings

Ni-SiC-h/BN composite materials were prepared by electrodeposition technique with the dispersion of SiC (10 g/L) and h/BN nanosheets (10 g/L) in a nickel sulfamate electrolytic bath. Different ratio of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cetyltrymethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactants were used to evaluate the effect of surfactants on the properties of the electrodeposited composite coatings. The coating samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Vickers microhardness test, scratch and tribology tests. The results revealed that the co-deposition of nanoparticles was significantly influenced by surfactants during electrodeposition process. Pyramidal or polyhedral nickel crystallites were observed at higher ratio of SDS/CTAB while smaller oval grains with refined surface morphologies were obtained at lower ratio of SDS/CTAB surfactants. In addition, wt% of particles co-deposition was increased, and Vickers microhardness, wear and coefficient of friction of the electrodeposited composite coatings were improved at increased CTAB and decreased SDS contents in the electrolyte during electrodeposition process.