Investigation of Microstructure and Oxidation Behavior of Ni-TiO2 Composite Coating

AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel is used as interconnects in solid oxide fuel cells. In order to improve the oxidation resistance of steel in operating conditions of solid oxide fuel cells, protective coatings can be employed. In this study Ni-TiO2 coating was deposited on an AISI 430 stainless steel substrate by electrocodeposition in Watt’s plating bath containing TiO2 particles. Composition and properties of Ni-TiO2 coating were investigated as a function of current density. The volume percentage of embedded TiO2 was raised by increasing in current density until 4 A/dm2 and beyond that reduced. Also grain size of Ni-TiO2 composite coating decreased until 3 A/dm2 and above this current density, the again grain size raised. Maximum value of microhardness obtained in 4 A/dm2 current density. In order to investigate the oxidation resistance, coated and uncoated specimens were subjected to isothermal oxidation at 800 ºC for 300 h. Results showed that the coated specimens at the bath containing of SDS surfactant and without SDS surfactant had less mass gain compared to uncoated ones. The microstructure of composite coatings, before and after oxidation was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray systems.