Wear resistance of electrodeposited Ni–B and Ni–B–Si3N4 composite coatings

The wear resistance of electrodeposited (ED) Ni–B and Ni–B–Si3N4 composite coatings is compared. The effect of incorporation of Si3N4 particles in the ED Ni–B matrix on the surface morphology, structural characteristics and microhardness has been evaluated to correlate the wear resistance. The wear mechanism of ED Ni–B and Ni–B–Si3N4 composite coatings appears to be similar; both involve intensive plastic deformation of the coating due to the ploughing action of the hard counter disc. However, the extent of wear damage is relatively small for ED Ni–B–Si3N4 composite coatings.