Using of RSM to optimize the heat treatment of electroless Ni-P coating for simultaneously improvement in corrosion resistance and hardness

In the present study, Ni-P coatings were successfully deposited on mild steel surface via electroless plating. The optimization of heat treatment parameters (i.e., temperature and time) based on response surface methodology has been systematically studied in order to obtain the simultaneously improvement in corrosion resistance and hardness. X ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and EDS analysis were used to characterize the coatings. The corrosion behavior of the coatings was evaluated using Tafel polarization method in 3.5 wt.% NaCl aqueous solution. It has been found that the as-plate coating has an amorphous structure and heat treatment caused to precipitate Ni3P phase as well as to form crystalline nickel phase. The corrosion resistance and hardness are strongly affected by heat treatment. By increasing the time and temperature corrosion resistance and hardness firstly increased and then decreased. The results showed that low corrosion rate less than 2 mpy and high hardness value more than 900 vickers were achieved by heat treatment at 450° C for 75 min.