Comparison of the Effect of Mechanical and Ultrasonic Agitation on the Properties of Electrodeposited Ni-Co/ZrO2 Composite Coatings

Abstract

Ni-Co/ZrO2 composite coatings were fabricated by electrochemical deposition from sulfamate solutions containing zirconia nanoparticles. The main purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of mechanical stirring and ultrasonic agitation in plating solutions on the structure and properties of Ni-Co/ZrO2 composite coatings. The morphology, microstructure, microhardness, anti-corrosion and wear resistance of the composites were investigated via scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Vickers microhardness testing, electrochemical workstation utilization and friction wear testing. The hardness, friction coefficient, wear loss, corrosion rate of the composite coating prepared with mechanical stirring, and ultrasonic agitation were 533 and 680 HV; 0.40 ± 0.02 and 0.35 ± 0.02; 2.15 × 10−5; 0.85 × 10−5 g·m−1; and 0.36 and 0.07 mm/year, respectively. In comparison to mechanical stirring, ultrasonic agitation could more uniformly disperse the zirconia nanoparticles to obtain Ni-Co/ZrO2 composite coatings, which has simplicity and compactness.