Enhanced performance of electrodeposited Ni-SiC plating as an alternative to electroplated chromium deposits: the effect of pulse duty cycle

Abstract

Abstract Ni-SiC composite coating was prepared by the electrodeposition under the pulse current as an alternative for the environment polluted and human cancerogenic hard chromium plating. The microstructure and tribological performance of the composite coating under different duty cycles were studied. The results showed that the mechanical performance of the Ni-SiC can be optimized by adjusting the pulse duty cycle. With the increase of the duty cycle, the grain size of the Ni matrix are refined and the friction coefficient of the coating are decreasing. Composite coating obtained with 80% duty cycle possesses the lowest wear volume during the friction and wear test. The effect of the duty cycle on the microstructure and tribological performance of the composite coating were discussed. Moreover, the co-deposition mechanism of Ni atoms and the SiC particles under the pulse current were discussed.