The Study on the Dispersants and Structures of Ni-P-α-Al2O3 Composite Electroless Plating Coating

Abstract

Dispersants are selected and optimized by determining the height of emulsion in the colorimetric cylinder after standing in order to ensure the homogeneity of the powder and the stability of electroless plating solution. Experimental results show that non-ionic surfactants such as PEG6000,PEG10000,OP-10 have stronger emulsifying ability to α-Al2O3 powder in ordinary condition and IW has more stability at 80~90°C. The optimum conditions are suggested as PEG6000 8g, IW 0.95g and ethanol 3mL per 50mL solution. Moreover, this composite electrolessplating solution is stable for seven days under 90°C. Therefore it has more dispersing ability. The SEM images show that the powder in the coating is homogeneous. The electroless plating coating consists of α-Al2O3 and amorphous Ni-P that will change into crystal Ni3P and Ni-base solid solution after heat treatment at 400°C for one hour, the α-Al2O3 powders are dispersed evenly in the nickel matrix.