Microstructure and corrosion properties of Ni-TiN nanocoatings prepared by jet pulse electrodeposition

Ni-TiN nanocoatings were successfully prefabricated by jet pulse electrodeposition. The effect of jet rate on cross-sectional composition, microstructure, microhardness, and corrosion properties of nanocoatings was examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, atomic force microscopy, microhardness tester and electrochemical workstation. Results illustrated that Ni-TiN nanocoatings deposited at jet rate of 3 m/s exhibited high concentration of Ni and Ti with average concentrations of Ni and Ti of 54.5 at% and 19.8 at%, respectively. Average diameters of Ni grains and TiN nanoparticles in Ni-TiN nanocoatings prepared at 3 m/s were 47.8 nm and 30.5 nm, respectively. Nanocoatings deposited at 1 m/s, 3 m/s and 5 m/s showed surface root-mean-square roughness value of 95.431, 30.091 and 58.454 nm, respectively, and presented maximum microhardness of 789.5, 876.2, and 849.9 HV, respectively. Ni-TiN nanocoating obtained at 3 m/s demonstrated minimum Icorr and Ecorr values of 1.02 × 10−3 mA/cm2 and − 0.551 V, respectively, signifying to offer the best corrosion resistance.