Effects of nano-diamond particles on the structure and tribological property of Ni-matrix nanocomposite coatings

Microcrystalline Ni (m-Ni) and nanocrystalline Ni (n-Ni) based composite coatings were prepared by a conventional electrodeposition method from a Watts-type electrolyte containing nano-diamond particles. Effects of nano-diamond particles on the microstructure, surface morphology, microhardness and wear resistance of two different Ni-matrix composites were investigated comparatively. Our present study shows that in the case of m-Ni matrix, the incorporation of nano-diamond particles significantly affects the microstructure, mechanical and tribological properties of corresponding composites. As to the n-Ni matrix, however, above properties were only slightly affected by the presence of nano-diamond particles, and the n-Ni matrix composites exhibit much poorer anti-wear performance than pure n-Ni under dry sliding wear conditions.