Composite plating of Ni/SiC using a cationic surfactant with an azobenzene group

A high volume percentage of SiC was uniformly codeposited into a nickel matrix by electrodeposition of nickel from a Watts bath containing particles in suspension which were dispersed with the aid of a cationic surfactant (AZTAB) containing an azobenzene group. Studies show that AZTAB compared to other surfactants so far reported enhances the codeposition of SiC. It is proposed that this enhancement in the codeposition of the particles is related to the reduction of AZTAB at the cathode surface during the deposition of nickel. The effects of particle loading, current density, and temperature on the extent of codeposition were also studied. At the optimum condition, the maximum volume percentage of the codeposited SiC in the nickel matrix was 62.4%. (C) 2001 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.