Investigation of Electrodeposition External Conditions on Morphology and Texture of Ni/SiCw Composite Coatings

• DOI: 10.3390/app9183824
• Publication Date: 2019-09-12T14:56:06Z
• Authors: Liyan Lai; Hongfang Li; Yunna Sun; Guifu Ding; Hong Wang; Zhuoqing Yang
• Keywords: Technology; SiC whisker; QH301-705.5; T; Physics; QC1-999; 02 engineering and technology; physical conditions; Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General); Chemistry; 0203 mechanical engineering; morphology; electrodeposition; TA1-2040; Biology (General); texture; QD1-999

Recently, a strategy of synthesizing SiC whisker-reinforced nickel (Ni/SiCw) composites with excellent mechanical properties by electrodeposition has been proposed for exploring its potential applications in micromechanical devices. In this paper, a series of external conditions that affected the content of SiC whiskers in composite films were studied, such as cathode current density, stirring rate and electrolyte temperature. The experimental results indicated that the optimum morphology was obtained at a stirring speed of 300 rpm, a temperature of 50 °C, and a current density of 18 mA/cm2. Additionally, the content of SiC whiskers and textural preference were also investigated by varying its external conditions, and the results demonstrated that the composites with high mass percentage whiskers are more advantageous for electrocrystallization of Ni in the (200) orientation. Finally, the relationship between external conditions and intrinsic morphology, composition and texture of Ni/SiCw composites was revealed, and it provides a constructive approach to fabricate the high-content SiC whiskers of these composites.