Electrodeposited Metal Matrix Nano Composite (MMNC) Coatings for Tribological Applications

Metal matrix nanocomposite can be produced by electrodeposition of metals from plating baths containing a dispersion of inert nanoparticles. A novel method, pulse reverse plating (PRP), has been developed at Leicester to produce these.  Understanding of bath chemistry/nanoparticle interactions has proved difficult. The technique will be applied to Ni and Ni-alloy based plating systems to produce tribological coatings as a replacement for hard chrome coatings, which are currently produced from toxic Cr6+ baths

The project will develop a novel plating technique, based on pulse reverse plating (PRP), to produce nanocomposite coatings with controllable nanoparticle content for tribological applications. Key objectives are:

• To define the generic parameters which achieve control over the composite structure;
• To optimise the parameters of selected coating systems for specific applications, demonstrating functions such as wear resistance and lubricity;

To demonstrate control of properties on industrial scale components, leaving the process ready for industrial adoption.