Wear Characteristics of Electro-deposited Ni-Cu-In Nanoparticle coatings for Automotive Application

Despite the massive application of Al-Mg-Si alloy in automobile and engineering components, its application in high friction and aggressive environment are limited due to low corrosion resistance, low hardness and poor resistance wear. This research is aimed at modification of the microstructure and thus enhances the microhardness and corrosion properties of Al-Mg-Si alloy. The low-carbon steel was electrodeposited with Ni-CuO and varied In3O5 (1wt%-5wt%) in the Ni-based solution. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) used to study the microstructural evolution in the fabricated coatings. As well, the microhardness of the coatings were measured using Vickers hardness tester machine. The wear properties of the fabricated coatings were studied using an Anton-paar tribometer. With respect to Al-Mg-Si alloy as the substrate, the microstructure and hardness of Ni-CuO/In3O5 coatings on the substrate were enhanced. The coatings also present good metallurgical bonding.