Electrodeposition of Duplex Ni–B–Zn/Co Composite Coatings

• Published in: JOM (1989) Vol. 72; no. 12; pp. 4296 - 4304
• Main Authors: Walunj, Ganesh, Waware, Umesh Somaji, Hamouda, A. M. S., Borkar, Tushar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.12.2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Advances in Surface Engineering; Alloys; Boron; Chemistry/Food Science; Coated electrodes; Cobalt; Corrosion resistance; Corrosive wear; Earth Sciences; Electrodeposition; Electrodes; Engineering; Environment; Grain refinement; Grain size; Investigations; Mechanical properties; Microhardness; Modulus of elasticity; Nickel; Physics; Protective coatings; Scanning electron microscopy; Spectrum analysis; Steel; Wear resistance; Zinc
• ISSN: 1047-4838; 1543-1851
• DOI: 10.1007/s11837-020-04247-9

This research article focusses on the Ni–B–Zn/Co composite coatings synthesized via an electrodeposition process. Electrodeposited Ni–B composite coatings have several advantages, such as excellent corrosion as well as wear resistance and high hardness in the as-deposited condition. We studied the influence of Zn/Co addition on microstructure, phase evolution, mechanical (hardness and wear resistance), and corrosion behavior of electrodeposited Ni–B–Zn/Co composite coatings. The Ni–B–Zn/Co composite coatings exhibited significant improvements in microhardness (by 90%) as well as in elastic modulus (by 100%) in comparison with electrodeposited Ni–B coatings. Both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses showed significant improvement in grain sizes in Ni–B–Zn/Co composite coatings compared with Ni–B coatings. This grain refinement in composite coatings is primarily attributed to the addition as well as uniform dispersion of Zn/Co within the Ni–B matrix. The Ni–B–Zn/Co coatings exhibited far better corrosion resistance and mechanical properties than Ni–B coatings.