Enhanced wear resistance of Ni-Mo-TiN composite coating by synergistic effect of tough Ni-Mo matrix and hard TiN particles

Abstract

To improve the wear resistance of the metallic components, Ni-Mo-TiN composite coating was prepared via pulsed electrodeposition. The microstructure, mechanical, and tribological characteristics were compared to those of Ni-Mo coating. The results revealed that the addition of TiN reduced internal stress within the Ni-Mo-TiN composite coating and mitigated the propensity for crack formation during both the coating preparation and friction testing. Grooves and pits are observed on the Ni-Mo coating, indicating a typical feature of fatigue wear. Owing to the synergistic effect of the tough Ni-Mo matrix and hard TiN particles, the Ni-Mo-TiN coating was characterized by micro-cutting and superior wear resistance. Based on the experimental results, the effects of TiN on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear resistance of the Ni-Mo coating were discussed.