Investigation of the Mechanical Properties of Al2O3 Reinforced Nickel Composite Coatings

Addition of inert ceramic particles improves the mechanical and tribological properties of nickel coatings significantly. Two different surfactants; ammonium lignosulfonate (ALS) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), were used in a typical sulfamate nickel plating solution in varying concentrations to arrange the floatation and wetting conditions of Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> particles (~300 nm) in the electrolyte. In addition to the effect of surfactants, effects of current density and the amount of Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> powder in the electrolyte on the mechanical and tribological properties like hardness, friction coefficient, wear rate, and the amount of deposited Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> were investigated