Simulation and characterization of Ni–doped SiC nanocoatings prepared by jet electrodeposition

Abstract Ni–doped SiC nanocoatings were successfully prepared by jet electrodeposition in this paper. Jet fluid process was simulated by using FLUENT software, and the microstructure, corrosion behavior and mechanical properties of the nanocoatings were examined through the use of scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrochemical workstation and triboindenter nanomechanical tester. Results indicated that when nozzle diameter was Φ8 mm, maximum jet rate and kinetic energy were 113 m/s and 543 m 2 /s 2 , respectively. SEM and XRD results demonstrated that Ni-doped SiC nanocoatings produced at Φ8 mm had fine, uniform and smooth microstructure, and average grain diameters of Ni and SiC were 344 nm and 75 nm, respectively. Among three diameters of nickel nozzles considered, Ni–doped SiC nanocoating produced at Φ8 mm had minimum average corrosion current density of 0.66 × 10 −4 A/cm 2 , thereby indicating the best corrosion resistance. Ni–doped SiC nanocoating deposited at a diameter of Φ8 mm exhibited the highest nanohardness (~ 33.4 GPa) among all three coatings, whereas the coating prepared at Φ4 mm had the lowest nanohardness (~ 23.7 GPa).