A Study on Ni-P and Ni-P-ZnO Composite Coatings Developed by Electroless Technique

Abstract

A new processing concept has been developed to produce nano structured metal matrix composite coatings. Electroless coatings of Ni-P and composite Ni-P-ZnO were developed by co-deposition process on mild steel substrates. Ni-P-ZnO coatings were prepared using conventional route i.e., ZnO particles of ~ 20 μm with average diameter were added to the bath (900C, pH ~9.0) and kept in suspension by stirring. Uniform and grayish bright coatings were observed. The coatings were heat treated at 400°C for 1h in argon atmosphere to attain crystalline nature of coating. The as-synthesized and heat treated Ni-P and composite Ni-P-ZnO coatings were characterized by XRD, FESEM and AFM.