Preparation and characterisation of nickel-nano-B_4C composite coatings

摘要

Ni-B_4C composite coatings on carbon steel surfaces with various contents of nano-B_4C particulates were prepared by electrodeposition in Ni plating bath containing nano-B_4C particulates. Microhardness, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Tafel and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were used to compare pure nickel coating and Ni-B_4C composite coatings. The microhardness of Ni-B_4C coatings is higher than that of pure Ni coating, together with the microhardness of the composite coatings increases with the increase of the content of nano-B_4C particulates. The effects of various contents of nano-B_4C particulates on the corrosion resistance were investigated and it was found that the best anticorrosion property of Ni-B_4C composite coatings is at 6 g L~(-1) B_4C in the bath formulation.