Electroless plating Ni-P matrix composite coating reinforced by carbon nanotubes

Ni-P matrix composite coating reinforced by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was deposit ed by electroless plating. The most important factors that influence the content of carbon nanotubes in deposits,such as agitation,surfactant and carbon nanot ubes concentration in the plating bath were investigated. The surface morphology,structure and properties of the Ni-P-CNTs coating were examined. It is found that the maximum content of carbon nanotubes in the deposits is independent of carbon nanotubes concentration in the plating bath when it is up to 5 mg/L. The test results show that the carbon nanotubes co-deposited do not change the str ucture of the Ni-P matrix of the composite coating,but greatly increase the ha rdness and wear resistance and decrease the friction coefficient of the Ni-P-C NTs composite coating with increasing content of carbon nanotubes in deposits.