ABSTRACT: The Ni-P-X EL nano-composite coatings are obtained by the immersion of the substrate material (Mild Steel, MS AISI1040) into electroless bath solution having second phase alumina and zirconia particles respectively. Microstructure and constituent composition of as-plated and heat treated specimens were analyzed by SEM and EDAX techniques and for electrochemical testing, as-plated and heat treated cylindrical samples were employed. The SEM results indicated the supplement of Al2O3 and ZrO2 nano-particles separately into an EL Ni-P matrix and were confirmed through EDAX analysis. When the coated specimens were heated at 380°C for 1 hour in argon atmosphere, nano-particles turned out to be closely packed which suggest an improvement in hardness resistance of EL nano-composite coatings.
Keywords: Electroless coating, EDAX, hardness, SEM, XRD
[1]. K. Zielinska, A. Stankiewicz and I. Szczygiel, "Electroless deposition of Ni-P-nano-ZrO2composite coatings in the presence of various types of surfactants", Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, vol. 2012, pp. 362–367(.377).
[2]. G.O. Mallory, "Products finishing magazine", reprinted courtesy Allied-Kellite Products Division (originally presented at Electroless Nickel Conference, 6-7 Nov., Cincinati, OH), 1979.
[3]. L.M. Ang, T.S.A. Hor, G.Q. Xu, C. Tung, S. Zhao and J.L.S. Wang, "Electroless Plating of Metals onto Carbon Nanotubes Activated by a Single-Step Activation Method", Chem. Mater. pp. 2115-2118, 1999,(11).
[4]. M.D. Feidstein, "Composite coatings with Light-Emitting Properties", Metal Finishing, pp. 87-90, 1999 ,(97).
[5]. Q. Zhao, C. Liu, X. Su, S. Zhang, W. Song, S. Wang, G. Ning, J. Yeb, Y. Linb and W. Gong, "Antibacterial characteristics of electroless plating Ni-P-TiO2 coatings", Applied Surface Science, pp. 101-104, 2013, (274).