Microscale Hardness of Acidic Electroless Ni-P/Ni-P-SiC Nano Composite Depositions

The ELNi-P along with Ni-P-SiCnano-composite coatings were plated on mild steel (AISI1040) substrates effectively. The ultrafine SiC particles with nano-size range of 50-70 nm as second phase particles were co-incerted into an acidic electroless Ni-P bath. The SiC nano-particles of 4 gpl concentration were used for co-deposition into an EL Ni-P bath. The sodium hypophosphite particularly is selected as a reducerin chemical reactions.After two hours completion of platings, the as-coated EL Ni-P/Ni-P-SiC platings were heat treated at 400°C in argon(Ar) environment for lone one hour period. As coating time increases thickness of coating also increases. The thickness of coating for all samples is found in between of range 20 to 25 micrometer. Further the micro-structure along withmicro-hardness of as-deposited and heated coupons and were investigated for surface morphology by FESEM and EDAX respectively.The randomly dispersal of SiC nano-particles into the EL Ni-P-matrix is shown for 4gpl by micro-structural results. Insertion of ultrafine SiC particles into Ni-P matrix, it appears that size of Ni/Ni-P grainthroughout plating process reduced and introverted the grain growth for the period of the heat treatment. The micro-hardness at HV30 scale was improved significantly by adding up of especially SiC nano-particles into acidic Ni-P electroless bath after heated at 400°C for time of one hour. The increment in hardness of Ni-P-SiCnano-composite coatings against Ni-P coating is explained.