Characteristics of electrodeposition of Ni-polyethylene composite coatings

Nickel polyethylene composites were produced by electrodeposition technique using Watt's nickel bath. The effect of operating conditions such as current density, pH, temperature and the effect of particle concentrations on the volume percent incorporation of polyethylene particles in the deposits were investigated. The properties of the composites such as microhardness, wear and corrosion resistance were also examined and compared with polyethylene-free nickel deposits. An optimum value of polyethylene (30 vol.%) was obtained at 30 g/l polyethylene particles in the electrolyte, at 7.5-9 A/dm(2) at pH 4 and temperature 50 degreesC, The microhardness wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the composite were found to be greater than free nickel deposits. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.