Microstructure and Properties of Si3N4 and TiN Nano-Particles Reinforced Electrodeposited Functional Ni-Fe Matrix Nanocomposite. Issue 8 (15th June 2016) - Tripathi, Manoj Kumar
Abstract : Functional Ni-Fe/Si3 N4 -TiN nanocomposite coatings were electro-codeposited from sulphamate-N, N-dimethylformamide bath containing dispersed Si3 N4 and TiN nano-particles 10 g/L each. The effect of current density on the incorporation of the ceramic particulate and on the properties of the deposits was investigated. The deposited coatings were characterized using various advanced techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Physical properties such as microhardness, corrosion resistance and magnetic property of the composite were evaluated. Results indicated that Si3 N4 and TiN both the ceramics has prodigious effect on the microstructure and properties of the coating. Ni-Fe/Si3 N4 -TiN coatings showed higher hardness in comparison with the Ni-Fe, Ni-Fe/Si3 N4 and Ni-Fe/TiN coatings. Hardness values of the coatings ranged from 650 HV to 773 HV and the coating with maximum hardness was obtained at current density 3.0 A dm −2 . Further, significant influence had been observed on corrosion resistance by the ceramic particles. Magnetic investigations revealed characteristic superparamagnetic behavior of the coatings.