Effect of the Neodymium Content on Mechanical Properties of the Electro-Brush Plated Nano-Al2O3/Ni Composite Coating
The effect of the neodymium content on mechanical properties of the electro-brush plated nanoAl2O3/Ni composite coating was investigated in this paper. The microstructure and phase structure were studied with scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The hardness and abrasion properties of several coatings with different neodymium content were studied by nanoindentation test and friction / wear experiment. Results show that the coatings are much finer and more compact when the neodymium was added, and the hardness and abrasion property of the coatings with neodymium were improved obviously. Besides, the small cracks conduced by the upgrowth stress in the coatings were ameliorated when the rare earth neodymium was added. The improvement mechanism was further discussed.