Tribological behavior of electrodeposited Zn, Zn-Ni, Cd and Cd-Ti coatings on low carbon steel substrates

摘要

The tribological behavior of electrodeposited Zn-Ni alloy coatings was investigated for its suitability to replace Zn- and Cd-based coatings. An in situ tribometry technique with a transparent sapphire hemisphere as a counter face on a pin on flat tribometer was utilized to examine the contribution of third bodies in friction and wear behavior. Wear mechanisms and tribo/transfer film morphology were also studied with the X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. In situ tribometry and additional ex situ analyses revealed that Zn-Ni coatings had superior resistance to adhesive wear compared to cadmium coatings. Microhardness of Zn-Ni coatings was higher than Zn and Cd coatings. Hardness on the wear track of Zn-Ni coatings showed the formation of a strain hardened tribo layer.