Investigation on the Micro Hardness of Electroless Ni-P Duplex Coatings Reinforced with ZnO, Al2O3, and SiC Particles

Abstract

Coating methods on components' surfaces 
may improve their functional performance. 
A variety of coating processes are required 
by the majority of industries in order to 
enhance the performance of components. In 
this experiment, Ni-P-Al2O3/Ni-P-SiC and 
Ni-P-ZnO/Ni-P-SiC duplex coatings were 
tested on mild steel in an effort to increase 
its surface hardness. The researchers in this 
work created multi-layer coatings by using a 
dual 
electroless 
bath. 
The Vickers 
microhardness tester was used to assess the 
microhardness of the duplex coating. In 
order 
to 
increase 
the 
deposit's 
microhardness, the aforementioned coatings 
were heated to 400 °C. We compared the 
two coatings to find out which one was 
superior for getting a firm surface. The 
findings demonstrate that the microhardness 
of the Ni-P-SiC outer layer duplex coating is 
satisfactory. 
Phase 
transition 
from 
unstructured to structured hard Ni3P 
increases the microhardness of the deposit 
after heat treatment. Microhardness, heat 
treatment, duplex coating, nanoparticles