Effect of in-situ electroless plating on friction and wear of metals

Wear tests on self-mated pairs of Ni, Cu, and Ni–P have been carried out during Ni–P electroless plating process onto the friction surfaces. The growth process of transfer particles was enhanced by the in-situ electroless plating of Ni–P during Cu/Cu and Ni/Ni rubbing. It also increased the coefficient of friction in both cases. In the rubbing of Ni–P, Ni–P plating had no effect on the growth of transfer particles and coefficient of friction. The hardness test showed that the transfer particles at the interface of pin and disk were harder than the bulk of pin and disk. The effect of Ni–P plating during wear is due to the enhancement of the shear strength of transfer particles compared to the original surface.