Selection of New Heat Treatment Conditions for Novel Electroless Nickel-Boron Deposits and Characterization of Heat-Treated Coatings

Electroless nickel-boron coatings were deposited from a novel deposition bath that was stabilizer-free. Those analyzed by DSC to determine the crystallization temperature of nickel-boride phases, and then best heat treatment conditions for new selected using Knoop hardness test XRD. The results analysis XRD coherent with findings previous studies, which shows coating has boron content lower than 4% wt. maximum obtained after at 300 °C 4 h reached 1196 ± 120 hk50, is much higher as-deposited coating. heat-treated fully characterized optical scanning electron microscopy, as well tribological corrosion tests. Various sliding tests (ball-on-disk ball-on-flat configurations) conducted analyze coefficient friction (COF) wear behavior coatings. von Mises stress calculated, values 624 MPa 728 ball-on-disk ball-on flat, respectively, depth close 14 µm surface, confirming suitability applied load. Abrasive, adhesive, fatigue mechanisms observed on worn sample morphology SEM. It been determined during OCP potential increase compared one, whereas its resistance decreases.