Iranian Journal of Materials Science and Engineering

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Abstract: Formation of a hybrid coating by the use of plasma nitriding and hard chromium electroplating on the surface of H11 hot work tool steel was investigated. Firstly, specimens were plasma nitrided at a temperature of 550 °C for 5 hours in an atmosphere of 25 vol. % H2: 75 vol. % N2. Secondly, electroplating was carried out in a solution containing 250 g/L chromic acid and 2.5 g/L sulphuric acid for 1 hour at 60 °C temperature and 60 A/dm2 current density. Thirdly, specimens were plasma nitrided at a temperature of 550 °C for 5 and 10 hours in an atmosphere of 25 vol. % H2: 75 vol. % N2. The obtained coatings have been compared in terms of composition and hardness. The compositions of the coatings have been studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. The surface morphology and elemental analysis was examined by using scanning electron microscopy. The improvement in hardness distribution after third step is discussed in considering the forward and backward diffusion of nitrogen in the chromium interlayer. Also, the formed phases in the hybrid coating were determined to be CrN+Cr2N+Cr+Fe2-3N+Fe4N.

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Metal matrix composite coatings reinforced with nano-particles have attracted scientific and technological interest due to the enhanced properties exhibited by these coatings. Cobalt/hexagonal boron nitride nano-composite coatings were prepared by means of the pulse current electroplating from a chloride electrolyte on copper substrates and a comparison was made with the pure cobalt in terms of structure and tribological properties. Effects of particles concentration (5-20 gL-1) and current density (50-200 mA cm-2) on the characterization of electroplated coatings were investigated via X-ray diffraction analysis, energy dispersive spectroscopy and Vickers micro-hardness. Moreover, the tribological behavior was studied using pin-on-disc method. The results showed that cobalt/hexagonal boron nitride nano-composite coatings have higher hardness, wear resistance and lower friction coefficient than pure cobalt and the plating parameters strongly affect the coating’s properties

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In the present study NiCrAlY bond coating layer was produced by electroplating against common atmospheric plasma spraying (APS). Both types of the bond coats were applied on IN738LC base metal then, the YSZ (ZrO2-8% Y2O3) thermal barrier top layer was coated by atmospheric plasma spray technique. Hot corrosion is one of the main destructive factors in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) which come as a result of molten salt effect on the coating–gas interface. In this investigation the hot corrosion behavior of coatings was tested in the furnace which was contain Na2SO4-55% V2O5 and mixed salts environment at 900°C up to 15 hr. dwell time. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM / EDS) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) was used to determine the crystallographic structure and phase transformation of the coatings before and after the hot corrosion tests. The transformation of tetragonal Zirconia to monoclinic ZrO2 and formation of YVO4 crystals as hot corrosion products caused the degradation of mentioned TBCs. The results showed NiCrAlY coated by economical electroplating method a viable alternative for common thermals sprayed bond coats in hot corrosive environments with same corrosion behavior

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Metal matrix nano composite coatings possess enhanced properties such as corrosion and wear resistance. This paper aims to study the corrosion behavior of pure Co and Co-BN nano composite coatings deposited with different particles concentration (5-20 g L-1) on copper substrates using electroplating technique. Morphology and elemental compositions of the coatings were investigated by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The corrosion behavior was analyzed in a 3.5 wt% NaCl via polarization and impedance techniques. The results obtained in this study indicate that the co-deposition of BN nano particles improved corrosion resistance of electrodeposited cobalt coatings.

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Compression springs were prepared from Cr-Si high strength spring steel and coated with pure Zn and ZnNi by electroplating process. The effect of baking after electroplating as well as applying an electroless nickel interlayer on the fatigue and fatigue corrosion of the springs was investigated. The results were analyzed using weibull statistical model. A considerable improvement (8%) in fatigue life of the electroplated springs with Zn-Ni was observed in the presence of Ni interlayer. In addition, baking of these electroplated springs improved fatigue life by 4%. The fatigue life under salt spraying conditions, however, has demonstrated remarkable reduction by 40%, 34% and 30% for Zn-Ni plating, backed and unbaked Zn-Ni plating containing Ni interlayer, respectively

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In this research, a nickel-tungsten coating as a catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with different current densities was synthesized and the resulting electrocatalytic properties and morphology were assessed. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and chronoamperometry in 1 M NaOH were used to evaluate the electrocatalytic activity for HER. By increasing the current density of electrodeposition up to 500 mA/cm², a columnar morphology was observed. The cyclic voltammetry test (CV) revealed that when the plating current density increases, C_dl has increased from 248 to 1310 µF/cm² and the active surface area increases 5 times. The results showed that by modifying the coating morphology, the current density of the hydrogen evolution increased up to two times.