Electrodeposition and characterisation of Ni–TiC nanocomposite using Watts bath

Abstract

Nickel–titanium carbide nanocomposite coating was electrodeposited on mild steel substrate using Watts nickel bath, and the extent of TiC incorporation into nickel matrix was studied with respect to various TiC particle concentrations 2–15 g L⁻¹, bath pH 2–5 at 30–60°C and current density 2–10 Adm⁻². The volume percentage of TiC particle incorporation into the nickel matrix was found, and surface morphology, crystal size, phase of the nanocomposite, corrosion behaviour and microhardness of the Ni–TiC composite deposits were studied. It was found that the incorporation of TiC particles into the nickel matrix increased with increasing concentration of TiC particle and modified the surface morphology and orientation of the Ni–TiC deposit. A content of 10·8 vol.-%TiC particle incorporated Ni–TiC nanocomposite deposit was obtained with 8 g L⁻¹ TiC in the nickel bath at 8 Adm⁻², pH 4, 50°C and showed better corrosion resistance and higher hardness than nickel.

Keywords:

• Electrodeposition
• Ni–TiC nanocomposite coating
• Microhardness
• Corrosion resistance
• Surface morphology

Acknowledgement

The authors gratefully acknowledge the Department of Science and Technology of New Delhi, India (grant no. SR/S3/ME/0012/2008) for financial support of this project under the Science and Engineering Research Council scheme.