Electrolytic codeposition of submicron silicon carbide with nickel

Codeposition of submicron SiC powders from different origins with nickel wa s successfully achieved in laboratory and semi-industrial plating cells. Th e weight percent of SiC in the coatings depends on the concentration of SiC particles in suspension. The particle distribution was quite uniform acros s the coating thickness. Several additives were tried to optimize the surfa ce finish of the coatings. The hardness of the Ni-SiC coatings increases wi th increasing amount of incorporated SiC and the wear resistance in sliding is improved in comparison to pure nickel. A potential application of such wear-resistant composite coatings is given.