Effect of stirring rate on the microstructure and microhardness of Ni-CeO2 nanocomposite coating and investigation of the corrosion property

► The nano-sized ceria, produced by high energy ball milling technique, co-electrodeposited successfully in the nanocrystalline nickel matrix for producing Ni-CeO2 nanocomposite. ► SEM micrographs reveal that the approximately uniform distribution of the ceria in the nickel matrix upto the stirring rate of 450 rpm, beyond that agglomeration of ceria take place in the coating with pits. ► The hardness of the nanocomposite coating increases with the increase of the stirring rate upto 450 rpm. Beyond this amount, the hardness decreases due to agglomeration of the ceria particles in the nickel matrix. ► For Ni-CeO2 nanocomposite coatings the polarization resistance increases and corrosion rate decreases upto the stirring rate of 450 rpm.