Effect of Post Surface Modifications on Tribological Properties of Electrodeposited Ni/Ni-SiC coatings

Electrodeposited Ni and Ni-SiC composite coatings were prepared on Cu substrates by using the Ni-Sulfamate electrolytic bath. Thus prepared samples were subjected for the two different types of post surface modification techniques; i.e. Laser Surface Texturing (LST) and Ultrasonic Nano Surface Modification (UNSM), respectively in order to investigate their effects on surface and interface related properties of the coatings. Hemispherical dimples, with 80 to 200 um dimple spacing, were created and examined on the surfaces of the materials studied. The results revealed that micro-surface texturing with 150 um dimple spacing considerably improved the coefficient of friction. Dimple spacing accuracy and incorporated second phase ceramic particles both contributed significantly to reduction in coefficient of friction. On the other hand, application of UNSM considerably modified the surface topography, led to increase the Vickers microhardness, and reduced the wear and coefficient of friction as compared to non UNSM treated Ni and Ni-SiC samples.