Electrodeposited Ni–W–TiC Composite Coatings: Effect of TiC Reinforcement on Microstructural and Tribological Properties

Ni–W–TiC composite coatings were prepared via electrodeposition technique by dispersing the different amount of TiC particles into the plating bath. The Ni–W and Ni–W–TiC composite coatings containing different concentrations of TiC particles were characterized by using the scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction technique, Vickers microhardness test, surface roughness test, and tribology test. The results show that the Ni–W coatings containing reinforced TiC particles have shown a typical FCC Ni–W crystal structure with significantly higher Vickers microhardness. The amount of dispersed TiC particles into the plating bath considerably affected codeposition weight percent of TiC into the Ni–W matrix, as revealed by the EDS analysis. Ni–W–TiC samples demonstrated the decreased abrasive wear as compared to Ni–W coating and no characteristic features observed for the adhesive wear. Similarly, an improvement in  coefficient of friction was observed in Ni–W–TiC composite coating as compared to Ni–W coating.