Formation of bilayer Ni-SiC composite coatings by electrodeposition

Composite plating is a method of co-depositing fine particles of metallic, non-metallic compound or polymers in the plated layer to improve material properties, such as wear-resistance, lubrication, or corrosion resistance. Bilayer Ni-SiC composite coatings were produced in this research on the base of a reported study. Before producing bilayer Ni-SiC composite coatings, effects of the particle size, the particle content, the pH of the electrolyte, the temperature, the current density, the stirring rate on the amount of SiC deposited in the Ni layer were investigated. By manipulating the current density and the plating time properly, bilayer Ni-SiC composite coatings were produced and mechanical properties of these coatings were evaluated by micro-indentation hardness tests. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.