Microstructures and properties of sol-enhanced nanostructured metal-oxide composite coatings

The recent work of the authors on the novel sol-enhanced nano-composite coatings was reviewed. This technique was developed to create high dispersion of oxide nano-particles into metal/alloy coatings. The agglomeration of nano-particles in the traditional composite coatings prepared by solid-powder mixing methods can be effectively avoided. Correspondingly the microstructures of the sol-enhanced coatings are very different from those of the conventional composite coatings, and the coatings show superior mechanical and corrosion properties. This sol-enhanced composite plating has been technically proved to be a promising method to manufacture composite coatings for a wide range of industry. This is also a good example of finding practical applications for nano-materials and nano-technology.