Graded Ni-P-PTFE coatings and their potential applications

The effect of the ratio of a cationic surfactant concentration to PTFE concentration in the plating solution on the electroless Ni-P-PTFE deposition rate and on the PTFE content in the coatings has been investigated. The adhesion of the Ni-P-PTFE layer is significantly improved by gradually increasing the PTFE content from the substrate to the top surface. It has been demonstrated that these graded electroless Ni-P-PTFE coatings can reduce the formation of deposits on heat exchanger surfaces significantly. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.