Tribological properties of nanocomposite Ni/graphene coatings produced by electrochemical reduction method
Grzegorz Cieślak, Maria Trzaska
Quarterly No. 2, 2016 pages 79-83
DOI:
keywords: graphene, nanocomposite coatings, electrocrystallization, tribology, wear
abstract The paper presents the results of tribological studies of nanocomposite nickel/graphene (Ni/G) coatings and, for comparative purposes, of nanocrystalline nickel coatings produced by the electrochemical method on a carbon steel S235JR substrate. To prepare the composite coatings, graphene in the form of flakes was used. The characteristics of the graphene flakes were determined by means of Raman spectroscopy and scanning as well as transmission electron microscopes. The results of studies on the structure and morphology of nickel and Ni/G coatings produced in a bath containing different amounts of graphene are presented. The microhardness of the produced coatings was examined by Vickers measurements. The tribological testing was carried out using Amsler type machines. The wear depth of the coatings as a function of time for the tested Ni and Ni/G coatings were determined. Nanocrystalline Ni/G coatings produced by the electrochemical method exhibit a greater degree of surface development, increased hardness and better wear resistance when compared with nickel nanocrystalline coatings.