Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters) ›› 2020, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (10): 1321-1330.DOI: 10.1007/s40195-020-01098-w

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Effect of Pulse and Direct Current Electrodeposition on Microstructure, Surface, and Scratch Resistance Properties of Ni-W Alloy and Ni-W-SiC Composite Coatings

Sami Bin Humam1, Gobinda Gyawali2(), Dhani Ram Dhakal1, Jin-Hyuk Choi1, Soo Wohn Lee1()   

  1. 1Department of Environmental and Bio-Chemical Engineering, Sun Moon University, Asan, 31460, Korea
    2Department of Fusion Science and Technology, Sun Moon University, Asan, 31460, Korea
  • Received:2020-04-10 Revised:2020-05-11 Online:2020-10-10 Published:2020-10-20
  • Contact: Gobinda Gyawali,Soo Wohn Lee

Abstract:

The present work aims to study the influence of direct current and pulse current techniques as well as embedded SiC nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of the electrodeposited Ni-W coating. The electrodeposited coatings were studied for morphological, microstructural, mechanical, and scratch resistance properties using the surface roughness tester, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Vickers microhardness, and scratch tester. Application of pulse current exhibited relatively homogeneous and smooth surface of the coatings. A remarkable increment of microhardness was observed in both Ni-W and Ni-W-SiC coatings prepared under pulse current as compared to the direct current technique. Similarly, the scratch test revealed a considerable improvement in the scratch resistance behavior of the Ni-W alloy and the composite coatings from the pulsed current condition. Hence, the application of pulse current not only improved the surface- and microstructure-related properties but also enhanced the Vickers microhardness and scratch resistance properties of the coatings. In addition, the reduction in micro-cracks revealed the improvement in scratch resistance properties of the coatings due to the incorporated SiC nanoparticles into the Ni-W alloy matrix.

Key words: Ni-W-SiC composite, Surface, Microstructure, Microhardness, Scratch resistance