Synthesis and properties of electroless Ni–P–Nanometer Diamond composite coatings

Abstract Nanometer Diamond (ND) was synthesized by using the detonation method. It was a kind of materials with properties of diamond and nanometer particle. The Ni–P–ND composite coating was prepared from a suspension of diamond nanoparticles in electroless bath. The tribological properties, hardness and corrosion behaviours of the composite coating on medium carbon steels were investigated. The Ni–P–ND composite coating exhibits not only high wear resistance but also low friction coefficient compared with the Ni–P composite coating. The highest microhardness of the Ni–P–ND composite coating was obtained by heat treated at 673 K. The corrosion resistance of Ni–P–ND composite coating is superior to that of Ni–P coating. The mechanisms of improvement of the tribological and electrochemical properties of the electroless composite coating are also discussed.