A Comparative Investigation into Corrosion and Wear Properties of Zn-Ni and Zn-Ni/PTFE Coatings

In this research, Zn-Ni and Zn-Ni/PTFE coatings were electrodeposited from sulfate-based electrolytes. Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques were used to investigate the corrosion properties of the coatings. Hardness and tribological behavior of the coatings were examined by the Vickers microhardness testing machine and the pin-on-disc method, respectively. Chemical composition and morphology of the as-deposited and worn surfaces of the coatings were studied by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). According to the results, the corrosion current density of the Zn-Ni film was about 30% of that of the composite coating. Hardness of the alloy film was partially decreased by the incorporation of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) particles. However, the wear loss and coefficient of friction of the Zn-Ni/PTFE coating were, respectively, about 43% and 57% of those of the Zn-Ni film. Moreover, wear mechanism was changed from plastic deformation and adhesive wear to slight abrasion by the co-deposition of PTFE particles.