Optimization of Plating Process on Inner Wall of Metal Pipe and Research on Coating Performance

Abstract

An innovative brush plating process for preparing coatings on the inner wall of metal pipes is proposed, which aims to solve the limitations of current electroplating technology and improve the performance of the inner walls of metal pipes. While optimizing the process, the effect of working voltage on the microhardness, thickness, surface morphology, corrosion resistance, and elastoplasticity of the Ni coating on the inner wall of the tube was studied under the new process. The results indicate this technique can produce high-quality coatings on the inner wall of pipes in a simple and efficient manner. As the working voltage increases, the surface quality and comprehensive performance of the coating show an increasing trend followed by a decreasing trend. At 12 V, the coating exhibits the highest surface density and uniformity, the lowest surface roughness, the best corrosion resistance, and the maximum microhardness of 575.8 HV, with a corrosion current density of 1.040 × 10−5 A·cm−2, a corrosion rate of 0.122 mm·a−1, the maximum elastic recovery ratio he/hmax of 0.36, and the best deformation resistance. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of this method in improving the durability and functionality of metal pipes and its potential for various industrial applications.