Improving the Properties of Ni-ZrO₂ Composite Coatings by Sol-Enhanced Electroplating

摘要

ZrO2 powder has been used as a second phase in metal coatings which can significantly improve thewear resistance of composite coatings. By using newly developed sol-enhanced electroplating method,Ni-ZrO2 composite coating has been deposited on mild steel samples. The microstructure, hardnessand wear property of sol-enhanced electroplated a Ni-ZrO2 composite coatings with different ZrO2 solconcentration were analyzed using SEM, XRD, micro-hardness and wear tests. The effect of ZrO2 solconcentration on the surface morphology, microstructure and mechanical property of electroplatedcoatings was discussed and compared with Ni-ZrO2 composite coatings prepared by adding ZrO2powder. It was found that incorporation of ZrO2 sol improves the mechanical property of Ni coatingsin composite coatings. Compared with the traditional ZrO2 powder method, Sol-enhanced method hasbetter enhancement effect. The mechanical properties of Ni-ZrO2 coatings reach the optimum valuewhen the ZrO2 sol concentration is 15 ml/L.