Ultra Fine TiO2 Dispersed Metallic Coating on Steel

Abstract

In the present study, an attempt has been made to develop nano scale TiO2 disperse nickel coating on steel substrate by direct current deposition from Watt’s solution to improve the mechanical property of conventional nickel coating. To resist agglomeration of ultra fine particles in plating bath due to high surface free energy and to get homogeneous coating, magnetic stirring and ultrasonic agitations have been used. The coating microstructures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. Ultra fine dispersion of TiO2 of below 100 nm size was observed in the faceted nickel matrix and the coating thickness was approximately 33 m. Homogeneous and sharp increase in surface microhardness was observed after incorporation of TiO2 powder.