High corrosion and wear resistant electroless Ni–P gradient coatings on aviation aluminum alloy parts

A Ni–P alloy gradient coating consisting of multiple electroless Ni–P layers with various phosphorus contents was prepared on the aviation aluminum alloy. Several characterization and electrochemical techniques were used to characterize the different Ni–P coatings’ morphologies, phase structures, elemental compositions, and corrosion protection. The gradient coating showed good adhesion and high corrosion and wear resistance, enabling the application of aluminum alloy in harsh environments. The results showed that the double zinc immersion was vital in obtaining excellent adhesion (81.2 N). The optimal coating was not peeled and shredded even after bending tests with angles higher than 90°and was not corroded visually after 500 h of neutral salt spray test at 35℃. The high corrosion resistance was attributed to the misaligning of these micro defects in the three different nickel alloy layers and the amorphous structure of the high P content in the outer layer. These findings guide the exploration of functional gradient coatings that meet the high application requirement of aluminum alloy parts in complicated and harsh aviation environments.

Tribological Behaviors of Electroless Nickel-Boron Coating on Titanium Alloy Surface

Titanium alloys are excellent structural materials in engineering fields,but their poor tribological properties limit their further applications.Electroless plating is an effective method to enhance the tribological performance of alloys,but it is difficult to efficiently apply to titanium alloys,due to titanium alloy’s strong chemical activity.In this work,the electroless Nickel-Boron(Ni-B)coating was successfully deposited on the surface of titanium alloy(Ti-6AL-4V)via a new pre-treatment process.Then,linearly reciprocating sliding wear tests were performed to evaluate the tribological behaviors of titanium alloy and its electroless Ni-B coatings.It was found that the Ni-B coatings can decrease the wear rate of the titanium alloy from 19.89×10^(−3)mm^(3)to 0.41×10^(−3)mm^(3),which attributes to the much higher hardness of Ni-B coatings.After heat treatment,the hardness of Ni-B coating further increases corresponding to coating crystallization and hard phase formation.However,heat treatment does not improve the tribological performance of Ni-B coating,due to the fact that higher brittleness and more severe oxidative wear exacerbate the damage of heat-treated coatings.Furthermore,the Ni-B coatings heat-treated both in air and nitrogen almost present the same tribological performance.The finding of this work on electroless coating would further extend the practical applications of titanium alloys in the engineering fields.

Microstructure and electrical conductivity of electroless copper plating layer on magnesium alloy micro-arc oxidation coating

In order to impart electrical conductivity to the magnesium alloy micro-arc oxidation(MAO)coating,the electroless copper plating was performed.Effects of plating temperature and complexing agent concentration on the properties of the electroless copper plating layers were studied by measuring their microstructure,corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity.It was found that the optimized plating temperature was 60°C,and the most suitable value of the complexing agent concentration was 30 g/L.Under this condition,a complete and dense plating layer could be obtained.The formation mechanism of the plating layer on magnesium alloy MAO coating was analyzed.A three-stage model of the plating process was proposed.The square resistance of the plated specimen was finally reduced to 0.03Ω/□after the third stage.Through electroless copper plating,the MAO coated sample obtained excellent electrical conductivity without significantly reducing its corrosion resistance.

Effects of zincate treatment on adhesion of electroless Ni-P coating onto various aluminum alloys

The effects of alloying elements on zincate treatment and adhesion of electroless Ni-P coating onto various aluminum alloy substrates were examined.Surface morphology of zinc deposits in the 1st zincate treatment and its adhesion were changed depending on the alloying element.The zinc deposits in the 2nd zincate treatment became thinly uniform,and the adhesion between aluminum alloy substrate and Ni-P coating was improved irrespective of the alloying element.XPS analysis revealed the existence of zinc on the surface of each aluminum alloy substrate after the pickling in 5% nitric acid.This zinc on the surface should be an important factor influencing the morphology of zinc deposit at the 2nd zincate treatment and its adhesion.

Structure and effects of electroless Ni-Sn-P transition layer during acid electroless plating on magnesium alloys

An electroless ternary Ni-Sn-P transition layer with high corrosion resistance was applied for acid electroless nickel plating on magnesium alloys. The surface morphologies and microstructure of the traditional alkaline electroless Ni-P and novel Ni-Sn-P transition layers were compared by SEM and XRD, and the bonding strengths between the transition layers and AZ31 magnesium alloys were tested. The corrosion resistance of the samples was analyzed by porosity test, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy（EIS） in acid electroless solution at p H 4.5 and immersion test in 10% HCl. The results indicate that the transition layer is essential for acid electroless plating Ni-P coatings on magnesium alloys. Under the same thin thickness（-6 μm）, the electroless Ni-Sn-P transition layer possesses superior properties to the traditional Ni-P transition layer, including high amorphization, smooth and dense surface without pores, enhanced bonding strength and corrosion resistance. Most importantly, acid electroless Ni-P coatings can be successfully deposited on magnesium alloys by using Ni-Sn-P transition layer.

A novel dual nickel coating on AZ91D magnesium alloy

Magnesium alloys covered with metal coating display excellent corrosion resistance,wear resistance,conductivity and electromagnetic shielding properties.The electroless plating Ni-P as bottom layer following the electroplating nickel as surface layer on AZ91D magnesium alloy was investigated.The coating surface morphology was observed with SEM and the structure was analyzed with XRD.Electrochemical tests and salt spray tests were carried out to study the corrosion resistance.The experimental results indicate that the dual coating is uniform,compact and pore-free.The adhesion strength between magnesium alloy substrate and electroless plating Ni-P bottom layer and electroplating nickel surface layer is perfect.The corrosion resistance of AZ91D magnesium alloy is greatly improved after being protected with the dual coating.

Electroless Ni-P plating on Mg-Li alloy by two-step method

Pretreated Mg-Li alloy sheets were pre-plated in a NiCO3？2Ni（OH）2？4H2O solution to form a thin Ni-P alloy film and then plating in a NiSO4？6H2O solution was carried out to obtain a protective coating.The surface morphology,structure and corrosion resistance of the coating were studied.The results showed that a flat,bright and compact plating layer,which was integrated into the matrix metal,was obtained.The P content of the Ni-P coating reached 13.56%（mass fraction）.The hardness value of the Ni-P coating was about HV 549.The polarization curve showed that the corrosion potential of the Ni-P coating reached ？0.249 V（vs SCE）.A long passivation region was found on the polarization curve,and this phenomenon indicated that the coating has an excellent anti-corrosion property.

An in situ measure method to study deposition mechanism of electroless Ni-P plating on AZ31 magnesium alloy

An in situ method was designed to measure a continuous open circuit potential （OCP） curve of AZ31 magnesium alloy and to observe the morphology variation of Ni-P coating during the process of the electroless plating. The deposition mechanism of the electroless Ni-P plating on AZ31 Mg alloy was studied by OCP curve, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, and energy dispersion spectroscopy （EDS）. The process of electroless Ni-P plating contains the coating formation stage and the coating growth stage. The formation stage includes three procedures, i.e., the nucleation and growth of Ni crystallites, the extension of the coating in two-dimensional （2D） direction and the coalescence of the coating along three-dimensional （3D） direction. SEM investigations demonstrate that the spherical nodules of the Ni-P coating are not only formed during the coating growth stage, but also generated in the initial deposition stage of electroless Ni-P plating. The variation of the coating rates at different deposition stages corresponds to the deposition mechanism of their respective deposition stage.

Effect of novel ternary ligand system on acidic electroless Ni-P plating on AZ91D magnesium alloy

The electroless Ni-P coatings on AZ91 D magnesium alloy substrate were prepared using the acidic hypophosphite-reduced electroless nickel bath containing the novel ternary ligand system. The results indicate that the deposition rate varies with the ternary ligand concentration in plating solution. The structural and morphological characteristics of the coatings were analyzed by XRD and SEM. The anticorrosion properties of the Ni-P coatings were evaluated in 3.5% NaCl solution by electrochemical impedance and potentiodynamic polarization methods. The amount of ternary ligands in electroless plating bath has an significant effect on the surface morphology and structure of Ni-P coatings. The decrease of crystallization temperature and increase of crystallization heat of all the deposits with an increase in ternary ligand concentration are found by DSC measurements. The coating obtained with 0.035 mol/L ternary ligand additive in plating bath can offer a better surface homogeneity and improve corrosion resistance.

Progress of electroplating and electroless plating on magnesium alloy

The current research processes of electroplating and electroless Ni-P alloy plating on magnesium alloys were reviewed. Theoretically,the reason for difficulties in electroplating and electroless plating on magnesium alloys was given.The zinc immersion, copper immersion,direct electroless Ni-P alloy plating and electroplating and electroless plating on magnesium alloys prepared by chemical conversion coating were presented in detail.Especially,the research development of magnesium alloy AZ91 and AZ31 was discussed briefly.Based on the analysis,the existing problems and future research directions were then given.

Influence of pH values on electroless Ni-P-SiC plating on AZ91D magnesium alloy

A novel Ni-P-SiC composite coating was prepared by electroless plating in order to improve the corrosion capacity and wear resistance of AZ91D magnesium alloy.The influence of pH values on deposition rates and properties of the coatings was studied.The microstructure and phase structure of the Ni-P-SiC coatings were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and X-ray diffractometry(XRD).The corrosion and wear resistance performances of the coatings were also investigated through electrochemical technique and pin-on-disk tribometer,respectively.The results indicate that the composite coating is composed of Ni, P and SiC.It exhibits an amorphous structure and good adhesion to the substrate.The coatings have higher open circuit potential than that of the substrate.The composite coating obtained at pH value of 5.2 possesses optimal integrated properties,which shows similar corrosion resistance and ascendant wear resistance properties to the substrate.

High-temperature Compressive Performance of Mg Alloy Foams Coated with Ni-P Layer

Mg/Ni hybrid foams were fabricated by the electroless method.The Ni-P(Nickel-Phosphorous)coatings were deposited on the surface of closed-cell Mg alloy foams.The composition,microstructure and phases of the Ni-P coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS)and X-ray diffraction(XRD),respectively.The compressive tests were performed on the Mg/Ni hybrid foams at 400℃using the Mg alloy foams as a reference.The experimental results show that the yield strength,plateau stress and energy absorption capacity of the closed-cell Mg alloy foams at high temperature were improved by the Ni-P coating.And there are four main modes for the Mg/Ni hybrid foam failure at 400℃,i e,shearing in cell wall,bending in cell edge,shedding and cracking in Ni-P coating.

A novel electroless silver depositing method for magnesium alloys

Depositing silver on magnesium alloy by both electroless plating and organic coatings was studied. The organic coating was made by immersing samples in organosilicon heat-resisting varnish. In this method the organic coating acts as interlayer between the substrate and silver film. When the reaction starts, silver deposits directly on the interlayer. X-ray diffraction and SEM analysis were used to determine the composition and morphology of the interlayer and silver film. The potentiodynamic polarization curves for corrosion studies of coated magnesium alloys were performed in a corrosive environment of 3.5% NaCl(mass fraction) at neutral pH (6.9). The results indicate that compared with the substrate, the corrosion resistance of coated magnesium alloys increases greatly. Moreover, the method proposed in this work is environmentally friendly, non-toxic chemicals were used. In addition, it provides a new concept for the corrosion inhibition of magnesium alloys.

化学镀Ni-Sn-P合金镀层性能的研究

为了获得耐蚀性优异的化学镀Ni-Sn-P合金镀层,对前处理方法进行了研究,并对镀层的性能进行了测试。结果表明:预镀薄镍层可以提高化学镀Ni-Sn-P合金镀层的耐蚀性;化学镀NiSn-P合金镀层呈现胞状结构特征,表面平整,组织致密,耐蚀性良好。

汽车用镁合金磷化处理及化学镀Ni-Sn-P合金镀层

先对汽车用AZ31B镁合金进行了磷化处理,然后在磷化膜表面化学镀Ni-Sn-P合金镀层,并对化学镀Ni-Sn-P合金镀层的成分、表面形貌及耐蚀性等进行了研究。研究发现:镁合金磷化属于一种磷化膜生成和溶解的动态过程。磷化膜较为均匀、致密,存在少量微裂纹,厚度约为6μm。化学镀Ni-Sn-P合金镀层由大量均匀、致密的胞状颗粒堆积而成。经过磷化和化学镀Ni-Sn-P合金镀层后,镁合金的耐蚀性显著提高。

Pretreatment-free Ni-P plating on magnesium alloy at low temperatures

Electrochemically promoted electroless plating(EPEP)was used for the application of pretreatment-free Ni-P coating on AM60B magnesium alloy at low temperatures and the obtained coating was characterized by SEM,AFM,EDS and XRD techniques.Compact,uniform,and medium-phosphorus Ni-P coating with mixed crystalline-amorphous microstructure was obtained by applying a cathodic current density of4mA/cm^2at50℃.Also,island-like nickel clusters were deposited on the alloy surface under the same plating condition but without applying the cathodic current.In addition,the durability of the magnesium alloy against corrosion was strongly improved after plating via EPEP technique which was revealed by electrochemical examinations in3.5%NaCl(mass fraction)corrosive electrolyte.The results of the electrochemical examinations were confirmed by microscopic observations.Thickness,microhardness,porosity and adhesive strength of the deposits were also qualified.

Coupling a titanium dioxide based heterostructure photoanode with electroless-deposited nickel-phosphorus alloy coating on magnesium alloy for enhanced corrosion protection

The utilization of photoelectrochemical cathodic protection(PECCP)enables an indirect corrosion pro-tection of metals with low self-corrosion potential by introducing a metallic nickel interlayer.However,the ability to enhance the PECCP efficiency remains challenging because of the inherent property of the semiconductor.Herein,this ability is demonstrated by coupling a covalent organic framework(TpBD)dec-orated TiO 2 photoanode(TiO 2/TpBD)with nickel coating on magnesium alloy for an effective corrosion protection.The composite photoanode showed direct PECCP for the nickel interlayer and indirect corro-sion protection of the magnesium alloy.The composite structure of the nanotube array and the covalent organic framework for the photoanode were confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).The en-hanced photoelectrochemical conversion capability and PECCP performance of the nickel-coated Mg alloy were evidenced by the results from electrochemical and photoelectrochemical measurements including Mott-Schottky curves,photoinduced potential variations,and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS).Lastly,a corrosion protection mechanism is proposed,where the enhanced PECCP efficiency is at-tributed to the formation of a direct Z-scheme heterojunction,which is substantiated by the results from valence band(VB)XPS and electron spin resonance characterizations.

医用Co-Cr合金表面化学镀铜抗菌涂层的制备及性能

钴铬合金具有良好的耐磨性、耐菌性及生物性能,是理想的医用金属材料,但钴铬合金对细菌的粘附往往比较敏感,容易引发口腔细菌感染,因而采用化学镀方法在钴铬合金上镀铜,对镀铜工艺参数进行单因素变量研究,得出化学镀铜最佳实验方案为:硫酸铜质量浓度为16 g/L,酒石酸钾钠质量浓度为46 g/L,NaOH质量浓度为15 g/L,甲醛为15 g/L,pH为12.9。通过采用XRD分析和SEM表征结果表明,化学镀铜后表面化学成分大部分为Cu,且分布密集,厚度约为6~7μm。涂层和基体结合稳定,不易脱落,镀铜后的钴铬合金抗菌性能明显得到提高。

钛铜合金接插件连续电镀及化学镀高磷镍工艺优化

针对智能手机零件的无磁性要求,采用钛铜合金为基材进行电镀和化学镀高磷镍。通过正交试验对镀前阳极电解脱脂、阴极电化学浸蚀、冲击镀镍,电镀高磷镍和化学镀高磷镍,以及镀后封孔工艺进行优化。研究了镀层P含量对其磁导率的影响,得出镀层P质量分数至少为11%方可满足静态磁导率小于1.003 H/m的要求。目前该连续电镀及化学镀高磷镍工艺已用于实际生产,产品合格率高达99.8%以上。

On the formation of the interlayer between Ni-P coating and AZ33magnesium alloy substrate by means of in situ SEM observation

Pre-treatment process is the key step for electroless plating. Once a suitable pre-treatment film is in place, the desired metals can be plated. In this paper, Ni-P coating was successfully prepared on AZ33 magnesium alloy with Mg（OH）2 pre-treatment film by electroless plating. To investigate the role of MgF2 in Ni-P coating, the deposition procedures between Mg（OH）2 pre-treatment film and Mg（OH）2-MgF2 pre-treatment film （a traditional process） were compared. The surface morphology variations of coatings were observed with scanning electron microscopy and the compositions were analyzed by energy dispersive spectrometry. The results showed that during the plating, both MgF2 and Ni-P deposited at the initial stage, and MgF2 distributed in the bottom of the coating, forming a transitional interlayer with Ni- P. According to the heat quench test, a poor adhesion of the coating mainly occurred between the MgF2 and Ni-P coating.