Mechanical properties of Ni-based coatings fabricated by electroless plating method

Abstract

In this study, Ni–P, Ni–W–P and Ni–B coatings were electrolessly plated on aluminium alloy substrates. All coatings were uniform and adherent with shiny metallic appearances. A systematic study was performed to evaluate the coating mechanical properties including hardness and wear resistance. The Ni–B coating possessed a superior mechanical performance, showing the highest hardness and wear resistance among the examined coatings. Besides, a further study regarding the wear behaviour confirmed a different wear mechanism of Ni–B coating when compared to the Ni–P and Ni–W–P coatings under the wear tests, which is revealed by the 3D profile images of wear tracks.