Codeposition of micro- and nano-sized SiC particles in the nickel matrix composite coatings obtained by electroplating

Micro- and nano-sized SiC particles were codeposited with nickel by electrolytic plating from a nickel sulfamate bath and the effects of plating parameters such as pH of the plating bath, SiC content in the plating bath, and stirring speed on the deposition behaviors of Ni–SiC composite coating layers were studied. The result revealed that the micro-sized SiC particles are more negative than the nano-sized SiC particles in the Zeta potential. The codeposition of SiC can be increased by increasing the SiC content in the plating bath and the pH of the plating bath within the present experimental range. In case of micro-sized SiC particles, increasing stirring speed always lowered the codeposition of SiC. In case of nano-sized SiC particles, the codeposition of SiC showed a maximum at the stirring speed of 100 rpm. The nano-sized SiC particles are more difficult to codeposit than the micro-sized SiC particles and showed rougher plated surface compared with the micro-sized SiC particles, which may be attributable to the agglomeration of nano-sized SiC particles in the plating bath.