Tribological properties of the FeNi alloys electrodeposited with and without external magnetic field assistance

Abstract

The hereby work presents the tribological properties of the iron-nickel alloys and their dependence on the microstructure and thickness of the probes as well as the presence of an external magnetic field during the synthesis. Coatings were electroplated on the brass and copper metallic substrates using galvanostatic deposition in the same electrochemical bath condition (Fe and Ni sulfates) and the electric current density. The surface morphology of the films was observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy. The average composition of all FeNi coatings was measured using Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy. Tribo-mechanical properties such as microhardness, roughness, and friction coefficient were determined in the obtained structures. The morphology and tribologial properties of the FeNi coatings clearly depend on both the substrate (Cu, CuZn) itself and the presence of an external magnetic field (EMF) applied during the deposition process.