HOW HEAT TREATMENT CAN GIVE BETTER PROPERTIES TO ELECTROLESS NICKEL-BORON COATINGS

Abstract

Electroless nickel-boron deposits were synthesized on mild steel and submitted to heat treatments under neutral
and nitrogen based atmosphere. The properties obtained after these treatments were compared to as deposited
nickel-boron coatings. The morphology and structure of the samples were investigated by XRD, SEM
and optical microscopy; their composition was studied by ICP, GD-OES and SIMS analysis, and micro and
nanoindentation tests were carried out to assess the coatings’ hardness. Scratch tests were used to determine
the damage mechanisms of the coating.