Effect of pulse parameters on the morphology of electroplated Ni–W–TiC nanocomposite coating

ABSTRACT

The impacts of pulse current electroplating variables such as frequency, duty cycle, and concentration of titanium carbide nanoparticles on the morphology of Ni–W–TiC nanocomposite coating applied on a low-carbon steel substrate were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy was applied for analysing morphology, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy was utilized for locating titanium carbide nanoparticles in higher levels of magnification. The hardness of the coatings was evaluated through microhardness testing in accordance with Vickers standard, while XRD analysis was performed to determine the phases and crystalline structures’ planes present in the coating. The optimal nanocomposite coating sample with a hardness of 909 HV was achieved under pulse current with 100 Hz frequency, 60% duty cycle, 20 A dm⁻² current density, and 5 g L⁻¹ titanium carbide nanoparticle concentration.

KEYWORDS:

• Ni–W–TiC nanocomposite
• frequency
• duty cycle
• pulse current

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.