Composite Ni/UHMWPE coatings and their tribological performances

Attempts have been made to develop Ni/UHMWPE composite coating by an electrophoretic deposition of UHMWPE particles in combination with an electroplating of nickel (two-step method). For comparison, Ni/UHMWPE coatings were also fabricated by traditional composite electroplating. The surface morphology, composition, roughness, residual stress, hardness, adhesive strength, and the tribological behaviors of the coatings fabricated by the two methods were compared and investigated. Results manifest that the two-step method is effective to enhance UHMWPE particle content in Ni/UHMWPE coatings and the performances of the coating are greatly affected by UHMWPE content. High particle contents increase the roughness and residual stress, but decrease the hardness and adhesive strength. However, with the increased ratio of UHMWPE particle, the tribological performances of the composite coatings are improved.