Co-deposition of B4C particles and nickel under the influence of a redox-active surfactant and anti-wear property of the coatings

Composite plating of Ni/B4C was carried out using cationic surfactants with and without an azobenzene group. The present investigation reveals that the azobenzene surfactant (AZTAB) not only acts as a dispersing agent in the bath, but it also acts as a promoter to deposit high amount of B4C particles (45 vol.%) into nickel matrix owing to its more positive reduction potential than that of the nickel. ti-wear performance of the nickel coatings reinforced with various amounts of B4C particle was investigated under dry sliding conditions using an abrasion tester. The anti-wear performance of the Ni/B4C coating investigated in the present case was comparatively studied with that of the other nickel coatings reinforced with different kinds of hard ceramic particles.