Composite coatings constitute a new class of materials which are mostly use
d for mechanical and tribological applications. Among these materials, nick
el deposits with incorporation of hard ceramic particles such as silicon ca
rbide (SiC), combine anti-corrosion properties (due to the presence of nick
el), with mechanical and tribological performances (due to the presence of
particles of SiC). In the present study, electroless Ni-SiC composite depos
its with various amounts of SiC have been prepared and characterized. The f
irst part of this paper considers the materials, the experimental condition
s and the characterization of the coatings. The second part is dedicated to
the study of the mechanical (hardness) and tribological (friction resistan
ce and wear) properties of the co-deposits. Friction tests were carried out
using a ball on disk tribometer. The mechanisms of wear were analysed from
observations of the wear scars and their characterization using two-dimens
ional and three-dimensional profilometry. The results show that increasing
the size or the rate of SIC particles incorporated lead to an increase in b
oth the hardness of the films and friction coefficient when sliding against
a steel ball. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.