Electrodeposition of particle-strengthened nickel films

Dispersion-strengthened nickel films were obtained by co-deposition of Al2O3 particles with a mean particle diameter of 14 nm followed by heat treatment at 850 °C. The co-deposition was achieved by addition of Al2O3 powders in a typical Watts bath before electroplating of nickel on copper substrates. The Ni films are analyzed by light and transmission electron microscopy and by measurement of the coercivity and the microhardness. The particle-strengthened Ni films show a remarkable improvement of hardness due to grain stabilization and dispersion hardening of the nickel grains by alumina nanoparticles as observed by structural investigations of the samples. Reinforcement of electrodeposited nickel films by nanosized alumina particles is a simple process producing wear-resistant coatings.