A study on the microhardness and corrosion behavior of the ZnO and SiC reinforced multi layer electroless nickel coating

Abstract

ABSTRACT An attempt has been made to fabricate electroless duplex (Ni-P-ZnO/Ni-P-SiC) coatings on the mild steel materials. Present investigation focused on ZnO and SiC nanoparticles concentration on the corrosion resistance and microhardness of duplex coating. Coated substrates are characterised by using the X-ray diffraction analyses to know the structure of deposit. Surface morphology and element composition was evaluated by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM) attached with the energy dispersive spectrometer (EDX). Coating was heat treated for 1 hour at 400°C temperature. Microhardness of the coatings was examined by using Vickers microhardness tester. Corrosion parameters of the duplex coating were evaluated by performing the potentiodynamic polarisation studies in 3.5% NaCl solution. Experimental observations confirm that Ni-P-SiC outer layered coating offers maximum microhardness and duplex coating with Ni-P-ZnO as external layer provides maximum corrosion protection. Maximum load bearing ability of SiC nanoparticles offers superior microhardness to the Ni-P-SiC external layer coatings. Higher electrochemical resistive ZnO nanoparticles provide good corrosion protection to the Ni-P-ZnO external layer coatings. Formation of intermetallic compounds after heat treatment process enhances the both the coatings microhardness and resistance to corrosion.