ELECTROLYTIC DEPOSITION OF TiC PARTICLES/Ag COMPOSITE FILMS AND THEIR MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES

TiC particles/Ag composite films were successfully prepared through co-electrodeposition, using the Ag plating solutions with minor addition of TiC particles, followed by heat treatment in vacuum. The X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), nanoindentation tester and four-point probes were used to characterize phase composition, morphologies, mechanical properties and electrical properties of as-fabricated films, respectively. Experimental results show that only TiC and Ag phases are identified for the TiC particles/Ag composite films. TiC particles are incorporated tightly and evenly on the surface of the composite films without obvious agglomeration. TiC particles/Ag composite films maintain good electrical conductivity. Meanwhile, compared to pure silver film without the addition of TiC particles, the indentation hardness (HIT) of the TiC/Ag composite film electrodeposited from the plating bath containing 6g/L of TiC particles can be improved from 600 HIT to 11,000 HIT.