Electrodeposition and characterization of Al 2O 3–Cu(Sn), CaF 2–Cu(Sn) and talc–Cu(Sn) electrocomposite coatings

Abstract

Electrocomposite coatings consisting of Al 2O 3, CaF 2, talc particles and copper–tin alloy were prepared by means of the conventional electrodeposition technique. The effects of cathode current density, particle concentration in the bath and stir rate on the volume percentage of particles V p in the composite coatings were investigated. It was shown that current density, effective particle concentration in the plating solution instead of particle concentration in the bath and stir rate strongly affected V p. The internal stress of composite coatings was influenced by current density and particle content. The presence of particles greatly improved the hardness and wear resistance of composite coatings. The results of the present studies revealed that internal stress, hardness, wear resistance, and the relationship between V p and current density, particle concentration in the bath and stir rate were dependent on the nature of incorporated particles.