Synthesis and characterization of Ni-P-TiN nanocomposites fabricated by magnetic electrodeposition technology

Ni-P-TiN nanocomposites were successfully deposited onto 45 steel sheets. The microstructure, micro hardness and corrosion behavior of the nanocomposites were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Vickers microhardness meter, and electrochemical apparatus. TEM observations present that the average crystal dimensions of Ni (1 1 1) and TiN(1 1 1) in the Ni-P-TiN nanocomposite deposited at the magnetic intensity of 0.5 T are 0.244 nm and 0.211 nm, respectively. AFM and XRD results indicate that the average grain size for Ni and TiN in the as-plated Ni-P-TiN nanocomposite produced at a magnetic intensity of 0.5 T is approximately 81.4 nm and 39.5 nm, respectively. Microhardness test demonstrate that the composite after heat treatment at 500 degrees C for 10 min. has the highest average microhardness (similar to 918.6 HV). Electrochemical test results illustrate that the Ni-P-TiN nanocomposites heat-treated at 500 degrees C for 10 min has the most optimum corrosion resistance among all as-plated and heat-treated specimens. Published by Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.