Electrodeposition and characterisation of Ag-ZrO2 electroplated coatings

Ag-ZrO2 electroplated coatings were produced using a classical DC technique in a silver cyanide bath with added ZrO2 particles. Plating parameters, pa rticle concentration and the stirring rate of the bath were systematically investigated in order to calculate the incorporation rate V-p of the partic les in the deposit. It was found that the relationships between V-p, curren t density and stirring rate were related to the particle concentration in t he bath. Moreover, it was established that the mechanical and tribological properties of coating composite, like hardness, friction coefficient and we ar resistance increased with the increase in incorporation rate V-p. (C) 20 01 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.