Effect of ultrasound vibration during electrodeposition of Ni-SiC nanocomposite coatings

The deposition of pure Ni and Ni/SiC nanocomposite coatings was carried out using an additive free Watts type bath. In order to avoid porosity and defects induced by the hydrogen evolution ultrasonic vibration was used during the electrodeposition. The effects of the ultrasound treatment on both pure Ni and Ni/SiC nanocomposite codeposition was investigated by means of coatings microstructure and surface morphology study and SiC content measurements. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the ultrasonic vibration reduced the layer porosity. The role of ultrasounds in reducing porosity was shown. © 2010 Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.