Friction Properties of the Heat-Treated Electroless Ni Coatings Embedded with c-BN Nanoparticles

The nickel (Ni) coatings without and with embedded (5–7 vol. %) cubic boron nitride (c-BN) nanoparticles (10 nm in diameter) were deposited on carbon steel substrate by an electroless plating process. Coatings were tested in as-deposited and heat-treated (heating at 300 °C for 6 h) conditions. Coating structure characterisation was performed, as well as hardness and roughness measurements. Friction properties were tested in dry and in water (seawater) lubricated contact conditions, with bronze as a counter-body material. Both static and kinetic coefficients of friction were measured for two different surface texture preparations (initial and working). The first surface texture simulated the running-in condition, and the second surface texture represented the steady-state conditions. The enhancement of the abrasive and erosive wear resistance of heat-treated electroless Ni coatings with embedded c-BN nanoparticles was already proved in our previous studies. This study aims to investigate those influences on friction properties of electroless Ni coatings in different sliding conditions. The results show that the coefficients of friction did not differ too much between the coatings and that the surface roughness and presence of seawater had a much stronger influence.