Morphology of Nickel Matrix Composite Coatings with Nano- Silicon Dispersion Phase

Abstract

In this paper is presented the morphology of nickel metal layers, nickel matrix composite and particles dispersed phase, obtained by electrodeposition on steel base, using nickel sulphate as electrolyte. Nickel anodes used were of 99.9% purity. Experimental investigations were carried out at the temperature of 293 K and various current densities for 1h, with different stirring rates of electrolyte and silicon powder concentrations. The coatings were deposited on a carbon steel substrate which was kept vertically in the solution.
The inclusion of silicon particles about 50 nm led to significant hardening of nickel composite matrix.