Preparation and tribological characterization of graphene incorporated electroless Ni-P composite coatings

Abstract

Industrial application of electroless Ni–P coatings are limited by their low toughness and cracking under various loading conditions that in turn requires improvement of toughness using ternary coating systems. In this research work, graphene suspension was added to electroless Ni–P plating bath in various concentrations to produce four different compositions of Ni-P-G (graphene) coatings. Micro-structural and surface attributes were studied using SEM and white light profilometer respectively. Scratch and indentation behaviors of substrate and coatings were investigated. Graphene incorporation in Ni–P coating matrix improved the hardness as well as wear resistance. Also graphene supported Ni–P coating exhibited toughness through crack shielding and crack deflection phenomena.