Synthesis and characterization of Cu–Ni/Gr nanocomposite coatings by electro-co-deposition method: effect of current density

Cu–Ni alloys are widely used and implemented due to their remarkable mechanical and electrochemical properties in most of the engineering applications. The reinforcement of graphene nanoplatelets (Gr) in Cu–Ni alloy can be utilized to enhance the properties of Cu–Ni alloy. In the present work, Ni as an alloying element and graphene nanoplatelets as reinforcing element were co-deposited with Cu to prepare Cu–Ni/Gr composite coatings by electro-co-deposition method. The influence of various current densities on surface morphology, composition, microstructure, crystallite size, lattice strain, microhardness, coefficient of friction and corrosion resistance of the resulting composite coatings were investigated and were presented in detail. Based on the experimental results, the coatings prepared at $$6\hbox { A dm}^-2$$ , exhibit a reduced grain size with enhanced mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.