Structure property correlation of electro-codeposited Cu-Al-V2O5 composite coating obtained from Al-V2O5 dispersed electrolyte

The present work depicts electro-codeposition of copper along with Al (size ~ 20 nm) and V2O5 (size ~ 350 nm) particles as second phase reinforcements on copper substrate. Different compositions of Cu-Al-V2O5 composite coatings were formed from acidic electrolyte with addition of 5 g/l Al and 10 g/l V2O5 particles in the deposition bath with 8 A/dm2 current density both in the presence and absence of CTAB. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) image of non-CTAB added coatings show coarser structure compared to CTAB added coatings. Mechanical characterizations of the coatings portray better hardness and wear resistance of composite coatings compared to unreinforced Cu coated sample. Among the non-CTAB and CTAB assisted coatings, CTAB treated specimens have better mechanical properties in terms of hardness and wear resistance compared to non-CTAB ones due to finer coating matrix and formation of (220) texture. The downgrading of electrical conductivity values of the composite coatings was due to the codeposition of insulating V2O5 and finer coating matrix. Aluminum in the coating tends to maintain the electrical conductivity but provides little strengthening effect.