Structure and phase transformation behaviour of electroless Ni–P composite coatings

This paper addresses the structural characteristics and phase transformation behaviour of plain electroless Ni–P coating and electroless Ni–P–Si3N4, Ni–P–CeO2 and Ni–P–TiO2 composite coatings. The X-ray diffraction patterns of electroless Ni–P–Si3N4, Ni–P–CeO2 and Ni–P–TiO2 composite coatings are very similar to that of plain electroless Ni–P coating, both in as plated and heat-treated conditions. Selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns obtained on the Ni–P matrix of Ni–P–Si3N4, Ni–P–CeO2 and Ni–P–TiO2 composite coatings exhibit diffuse ring patterns resembling the one obtained for plain electroless Ni–P coating. Phase transformation behaviour studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicates that the variation in crystallization temperature and the energy evolved during crystallization of plain electroless Ni–P coating and electroless Ni–P–Si3N4, Ni–P–CeO2 and Ni–P–TiO2 composite coatings is not significant. The study concludes that incorporation of Si3N4, CeO2 and TiO2 particles in the Ni–P matrix does not have any influence on the structure and phase transformation behaviour of electroless Ni–P coatings.