Structural, Micromechanical and Tribological Analyses of Electrodeposited Nickel-Graphite Coatings with Different Fractions of Graphite Microparticles

摘要

Nickel-graphite composite coatings were electrodeposited on a steel substrate from typical watts bath and with specific operating conditions for different weight fractions of graphite microparticles. The weight percentage of particles in coatings and the microstructure were studied, respectively, by atomic absorption, scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. The influence of graphite fraction on roughness and microhardness were also investigated. It was found that roughness increases with the increase of particle content while microhardness decreases. The tribological response was examined against high chromium steel ball using linear reciprocating tribometer. The results indicated that the friction coefficient decreases when graphite content increases. This was ascribed to the development of tribo-layer on the wear track and transfer film on the counterface. However, it was found that the improvement of wear resistance was obtained until an optimal value of graphite concentration, which provided the best condition that promoted the tribo-layer stability and maintained the matrix integrity.