Ni-P-ZrC nanocomposite coating with enhanced corrosion resistance and mechanical properties.

Abstract

Corrosion is considered to be greatest challenge for many industries. Nickel-based metallic coatings are emerging as one of the most suitable solution considering various aspects of operating conditions. The current investigation reports the enhancement in mechanical, wear, erosion and corrosion resistance properties of the as-electrodeposited Ni-P-ZrC nanocomposite coatings. For a reasonable examination, Ni-P and Ni-P-ZrC nanocomposite coatings containing 0.75 g/L zirconium carbide nanoparticle (ZCNPs) were synthesized through the modified Watts bath. The integrated coatings were completely explored utilizing different methods specifically field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XDR), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), microhardness, nanoindentation, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Effective co-electrodeposition of ZCNPs in the Ni-P matrix was accomplished with no detectable imperfections. It was observed that embedment of ZCNPs extensively affects mechanical, and anti-corrosive nature of the Ni-P matrix. Improvement in the mechanical properties can be assimilated to dispersion hardening of ZCNPs within the Ni-P matrix. The wear and erosion results also revealed the improvement in coatings due to the formation of composite structure with Ni-P as matrix and ZCNPs as reinforcement. Moreover, the corrosion protection efficiency (PE%) of the Ni-P coating was improved by the incorporation of ZCNPs from 71 to 85.4%. The Ni-P-ZrC nanocomposite coatings provides a competitive choice for their application in the automobile, electronic, aviation, oil, and gas industry.