Microstructure and properties of TiB2/Cu composite coating with multi-layer structure prepared by electrodeposition

Abstract

In order to improve the hardness of the copper surface, reduce its friction coefficient, and adjust the overall performance of the coating, a TiB₂/Cu composite coating with multilayer structure was prepared by electrodeposition. The microstructure of the composite coating was analyzed by SEM and XRD. The microhardness and friction characteristics of the coating were tested, and the differences in the microstructures and properties of different coating structures were analyzed. Microstructure coatings with two layers (Cu + TiB₂/Cu) and three layers (Cu + TiB₂/Cu + Cu) were prepared on the copper substrate by electrodeposition. The TiB₂ particles reduced the deposition rate of the TiB₂/Cu composite coating by electrodeposition, by up to 29%. The TiB₂ particles in the electrolyte increased the discharge voltage of the electrodeposition process. The content of TiB₂ affected the microhardness, friction, and wear properties of the TiB₂/Cu composite coating. The TiB₂ particles increased the microhardness of the TiB₂/Cu composite coating by 61%. The multilayer-structured coating prepared by electrodeposition could control the overall properties of the coating. The microhardness and friction coefficient of the TiB₂/Cu + Cu coating were between those of the Cu and TiB₂/Cu composite coatings.

Keywords:

• Multi-layer structure
• electrodeposition
• TiB2
• composite coating

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Heilongjiang Natural Science Foundation (LH2022E102), The Basic Scientific Research Business Fund National Nature Fund Cultivation project of Heilongjiang Provincial Undergraduate Universities (2021GJ04, 2023GJ09), Harbin Science and Technology Innovation Talent Project(2023CXRCCG016), and State Key Laboratory of Advanced Welding and Joining, Harbin Institute of Technology (AWJ-23M23) of China.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Heilongjiang Natural Science Foundation [LH2022E102], The Basic Scientific Research Business Fund National Nature Fund Cultivation project of Heilongjiang Provincial Undergraduate Universities [2021GJ04, 2023GJ09], Harbin Science and Technology Innovation Talent Project [2023CXRCCG016], and State Key Laboratory of Advanced Welding and Joining, Harbin Institute of Technology [AWJ-23M23] of China.