ABSTRACT
A novel method is established that improves the shortcoming of embedding low volume fraction of reinforcements in Ni–P electroless coating. Experimental design of the present study is based on 5 steps: (1) electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of titanium carbide core inside the Ni–P shell particles (2) pre-sintering of as-EPD layer (3) electroless deposition of Ni–P top layer on as-EPD layer (4) heating the multilayer structure and (5) infiltration of the Ni–P melt phase through porous EPD layer. Anchoring TiC particles inside a Ni–P shell was done for catalyzing electroless Ni–P deposition on as-EPD layer and improving the high-temperature wettability of the EPD layer. By infiltration sintering on EPD layer (20 V for 2 min) a composite coating of Ni–P/TiC with a volume fraction of ∼49% TiC was successfully produced. According to wear test results, embedding TiC into Ni–P significantly increases hardness (972–1460 VHN) and reduces friction coefficient (0.45–0.23).
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.