Influence of pH of Electroplating on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ni-P-Tio2 Composite Coating Fabricated on AISI 430 Steel

One of the best ways to improve the abrasion resistance and toughness of stainless steels is to apply surface coatings. Among these coatings are nickel base alloy and composite coatings. In this research, nickel-phosphorus-titanium oxide coatings were developed using electrical plating technique and the effect of pH (3, 3.5 and 4) on microstructure and their wear and tear behavior were studied. In this research, nickel phosphorus-titanium oxide coating was deposited onto the AISI 430 steel using electrical plating technique and the effect of TiO2 particles concentration on microstructure and wear behavior was studied. X-ray analysis (XRD) was used to determine the available phases and calculate grain size. Characterization of the coating was performed using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). The michardness was measured by Vickers microhardness device. To test the abrasion resistance of the phosphorus-titanium oxide coated and uncoated samples, a pin on the disk test was used. The results of X-ray analysis showed that the increase of pH causes the increase of grain size. Also the results of microhardness and pin on disk tests showed the increase of pH causes decrease of microhardness and abrasion resistance. The highest hardness (618.18 Vickers) was related to the coating created at pH =3 and TiO2 =40 gr / L. The highest wear resistance and lowest weight loss (0.15 mg) were also observed in the same coating.