Electroless nickel–phosphorus plating on Ni–Zr–Ti–Si–Sn amorphous powder

In the present study, we investigated the feasibility of inhibiting high-temperature oxidation of Ni57Zr20Ti18Si3Sn2 amorphous powder by depositing nickel–phosphorus on Ni57Zr20Ti18Si3Sn2 amorphous powder. A Ni57Zr20Ti18Si3Sn2 amorphous powder was produced by a gas-atomization technique, and subsequently, nickel–phosphorus was deposited on Ni57Zr20Ti18Si3Sn2 amorphous powder by electroless plating. Fully amorphous Ni57Zr20Ti18Si3Sn2 powder could be successfully obtained with a particle size smaller than 75 μm and exhibits a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 828 K, an onset crystallization temperature (Tx) of 886 K and a supercooled liquid region (ΔT) of 58 K. Electroless plating yielded a complete and uniform deposition of nickel–phosphorus on Ni57Zr20Ti18Si3Sn2 amorphous powder. The coated nickel–phosphorus deposit can reduce the oxidation of Ni57Zr20Ti18Si3Sn2 amorphous powder remarkably at the consolidation temperature of Ni57Zr20Ti18Si3Sn2 amorphous powder.