Exceptional mechanical properties and wear behavior of Al2O3 nanoparticle reinforced Ni-W-P coatings

Abstract

Successful electrodeposition of superior alumina nano-particle reinforced ternary Ni-W-P composite coatings onto HSLA steel demonstrated remarkable enhancements in mechanical, wear and corrosion resistant properties. Alumina nanoparticle addition (0.2 g/L) notably improved hardness from 8.33 to 12.16 GPa, reducing friction coefficient to 0.2255 and lowered wear rate to 1.946 × 10−8 mm3/m, outperforming pure Ni-W-P coatings (1.834 × 10−7). Corrosion rate for Ni-W-P/Al2O3 (0.2 g/L) dropped to 1.46 mils/yr from 2.82 mils/yr in Ni-W-P. Microstructural refinement through nano-ceramic reinforcement, with a pinning effect, contributed to these enhancements. Exceeding 0.2 g/L alumina concentration led to adverse effects, increasing defects, surface roughness and friction coefficient which led to a deterioration of the mechanical and wear performance.