Effect of reinforcing submicron SiC particles on the wear of electrolytic NiP coatings

As-plated and heat-treated electrodeposited NiP and composite NiP-SiC coatings were investigated in bi-directional ball-on-disc sliding tests. All tests were performed under gross slip conditions. Heat treatment decreases the wear volume loss during fretting in ambient air for all coatings investigated. Heat-treated NiP coating has a lower wear volume loss compared to composite NiP-SiC coatings for all sliding tests. The wear rate at the bi-directional sliding test was found to be lower relative to the wear rate at uni-directional sliding test.