Wear Resistance of Ni-Al₂O₃ Nano-composite Coatings Prepared by Electrophoretic-electroplating Deposition

Ni-Al2O3 nano-composite coatings with high Al2O3 nano particles content were prepared by electrophoretic-electroplating deposition.A uniform Al2O3 particles film with an average size of 20nm was electrophoretically deposited on Cu substrate and then nickel was electrodeposited onto the Al2O3 film.SEM and EDS was used to analyze the surface morphology and compositions of the nano-composite coatings.The friction and wear properties and abrasion mechanism of the coatings were investigated under dry friction conditions.The results show that,compared to pure Ni coating,the nano-composite coating had a smoother surface and more compact and uniform microstructure.The wear resistance depended on the nano-particles content.The most excellent wear resistance was exhibited when the volume fraction of Al2O3 particles was about 30%.