Copyright © 2022 M.Ye. Skyba, M.S. Stechyshyn, V.P. Oleksandrenko, N.S. Mashovets, Y.M. Bilyk. This is an open access article 
distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any 

medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 
 

 

 

Problems of Tribology, V. 27, No 1/103-2022,6-13 
 

Problems of Tribology 
Website: http://tribology.khnu.km.ua/index.php/ProbTrib 

E-mail: tribosenator@gmail.com 
 

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.31891/2079-1372-2022-103-1-6-13 

 

 

Wear resistance of composite electrolytic coatings 

 
M.Ye. Skyba, M.S. Stechyshyn, V.P. Oleksandrenko, N.S. Mashovets*, Y.M. Bilyk  

 
Khmelnytsky National University, Ukraine 

*E-mail: mashovetsns@ukr.net 
 

Received: 2 Desember 2021: Revised: 30 January 2022: Accept: 12 Fedruary 2022 
 

 

Abstract 

 

The article analyzes the influence of composite electrolytic coatings (CEC) on the wear resistance of 

structural steels. The issues of matrix selection and various combinations in composite coatings of different 

chemical elements and compounds are considered. Coatings based on chromium, nickel, iron, copper, cobalt and 

others are widely used in industry, but nickel-based composite coatings are the most widely used. Nickel is 

widely used as a matrix for CEC, because it has an affinity for most particles used as the second phase and easily 

forms a coating with them. These coatings are used for corrosion protection, increase of physical and mechanical 

and chemical parameters, increase of hardness and wear resistance, restoration of the sizes, giving to a surface of 

self-lubricating properties. 

Nickel-based coatings with SiC filler of various fractions from size 100/80 μm to nanoparticles smaller 

than 50 nm were investigated on the basis of the established installation for CEC application. Thus, SiC powders 

with the following sizes were used in the works: less than 50 nm - nanoparticles; M5; 28/20; 50/40; 100/80 μm. 

In the studies performed, 0.01… 0.02 g/l sodium lauryl sulfate was additionally introduced into the 

electrolyte, which promotes the incorporation of SiC particles into the coating and improves the conditions for 

building the Nickel matrix. 

Amorphous boron powders of about 1 μm size were also added to the silicon carbides as a filler, which is 

explained by the possibility of boron and nickel interaction during the subsequent heat treatment of the coating 

and obtaining new structures (solid solutions, eutectic, dispersion-hard alloys). 

It is of practical interest to study the possibility of improving the physical and mechanical properties of 

nickel-based CEC by introducing metals capable of heat treatment, interact with the metal matrix to form solid 

substitution solutions and chemical compounds (solid phases of implementation) and determine tribotechnical 

characteristics of these coatings. 

 

Keywords: composite electrolytic coatings (CEC), wear resistance. 

 

Introduction 

 

A significant contribution to the theory and practice of electrodeposition of composite electrolytic 

coatings (CEC) is the work of R.S. Saifulina, Sh.Kh. Yar-Mukhamedova, V.F. Molchanova, G.V. Guryanova, 

Д.К. Romanauskene, G. Brown, N. Guglielmi, I.Z. Pribish, I.G. Khabibulina, R.S. Kuramshina, V. Metzegra, 

L.I. Lozytskoho, Yu.O. Guslienko, MV Luchki and others. Various combinations of different chemical elements 

and compounds in composite coatings have been studied, but the main attention is paid to the technology of 

application, the study of structures and the formation of various complexes of physical and mechanical 

properties. Studies of CEC from the standpoint of tribotechnics are very few, or they are presented in the form of 

single results, which can not give a general picture of the possible prospects for the use of CEC to increase the 

wear resistance of machine parts. 

The industry widely uses coatings in which the metal base is chromium, nickel, iron, copper, cobalt and 

others. But the most widely used are composite coatings based on nickel. Nickel is widely used as a matrix for 

CEC, because it has an affinity for most particles used as the second phase and easily forms a coating with them. 

In addition, electrolytic nickel has sufficient mechanical properties, high corrosion resistance, ductility [1, 2]. 

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
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Problems of Tribology 7 

 

Nickel-based CEC is used in ship, automobile, tractor, aircraft, aircraft, rocket, mechanical engineering, 

chemical industry, for parts and assemblies operating in particularly severe friction conditions, elevated 

temperatures, in conditions of friction without lubrication, heavy loads. These coatings are used for corrosion 

protection, increase of physical and mechanical and chemical parameters, increase of hardness and wear 

resistance, restoration of the sizes, giving to a surface of self-lubricating properties. 

 

CEC application technologies 

 

In comparison with other methods of obtaining protective coatings, the technology of applying CEC is 

relatively simple and is reduced to the introduction into the known electrolytes of dispersed particles of chemical 

compounds maintained in suspended state by periodic or continuous stirring of the electrolyte suspension. Being 

in static or dynamic contact with the cathode surface during electrolysis, the filler particles are overgrown with 

the base metal. A number of works are devoted to the development of the technology of obtaining composite 

electrolytic coatings (CEC) [1, 3, 4, 5]. In these works the theoretical bases of joint deposition of metal and 

dispersed particles are stated, a large number of CEC of various properties and appointments is offered. 

The type of dispersed materials for obtaining CEС is selected depending on the operating conditions of 

the part, physico-mechanical and chemical properties of the filler and the main effect it has on the composition. 

As a filler in the creation of CEС, use dispersed particles of the following materials: diamond, amorphous 

carbon, boron, graphite, silicon, solid refractory compounds: oxides (Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, ZrO2, CrO2,MoO2, 

BeO22), carbides (SiC, B4C, TiC, ZrC, HfC, TaC, VC, WC), borides (TiB2, ZrB2, VB2, CrB2), nitrides (TiN, BN, 

AlN, Si3N43N4), silicides (MoSi2, NbSi2, TaSi2, HfSi2, WSi2), powders various metals (Ti, Mo, W), low-melting 

powders (Sn, In, Pl) and other particles [1-5].  

The properties of CEС with different types of filler are mostly determined by the physical and mechanical 

properties of the inclusions. Thus, borides have high heat resistance, hardness and pronounced metallic 

properties, however, they can interact with electrolytes, and are not sufficiently stable in acids; carbides of many 

metals have high hardness, heat resistance and chemical resistance; nitrides, in contrast to borides and carbides, 

have lower hardness, greater plasticity, sufficiently heat-resistant; oxides are more resistant to aggressive 

environments, heat resistant; silicides are promising as heat-resistant compounds, have magnetic properties and 

conductivity. Substances with a layered crystalline structure are of special interest for obtaining CEС. Such 

materials are the basis for self-lubricating coatings and coatings with improved antifriction properties. 

The volume content of particles that can be introduced into the electrolyte depends on their shape, nature, 

dispersion, electrolyte acidity, cathodic current density, location of the cathode surface (horizontal or vertical), 

mixing conditions. Theoretically, when modeling the dense packaging of the dispersed phase in the form of 

powders of the same size, the maximum filling of the space, provided that the spherical particles touch, is 74%. 

The data presented in the monograph [65] indicate the possibility of obtaining a volume fraction of the dispersed 

phase in the CEС up to 50%. Theoretical calculations and experimental data show that when real dispersed 

powder particles have different shapes and sizes, when smaller particles can be located between large ones, then 

the maximum volume content in the coating can reach 60%. However, in the absence of contact between the 

filler particles, when a solid or frame structure of the matrix is formed, their volume fraction in the coating 

reaches only 30% [6]. Therefore, this volume content of the dispersed phase can be considered the limit, at 

which the particles are completely cemented by a metal matrix. The use of CEС filler powders of various nature 

and dispersion can have an effect on their volume content in the coating, but usually in the direction of its 

reduction. 

It is established [1,3] that when using electrically conductive particles in the process of forming CEС, 

their volume content in the coating is always greater than those that do not conduct current. This allows a lower 

content of particles in the electrolyte-suspension to obtain a higher content in the coating compared to the use of 

non-conductive powders. 

Of practical and theoretical interest is the method of calculating the maximum possible production of the 

dispersed phase in the CEС depending on the bulk density of the powder fraction and the deposition parameters, 

which is presented in [4]. 

As for the dispersion of particles, many researchers believe that the optimal fraction -2 + 0.1 μm, which 

provides the maximum number of particles in the coating when deposited in continuous stirring on a vertical 

cathode and a fraction of -50 + 40 μm and above when deposited on a horizontal cathode [3,5,7]. 

The volume content of particles in the CEС during its production is significantly influenced by the nature 

of the electrolyte, the presence of a sufficient number of particles, the cathode current density, the process 

temperature and so on. The ionic composition of the electrolyte, its electrical conductivity, density, acidity, 

deposition modes in different ways can affect the quality of CEC. The complexity of the deposition process, the 

large number of factors that affect it, does not allow to accurately predict the optimal modes of formation of 

CEC [1, 3, 4]. 

The basis for the installation for the formation of CEC, created at the Khmelnitsky National University 

(KhNU), the task of control and regulation of the rate of deposition of electrically conductive and sedimentation 



8 Problems of Tribology 

 

of non-conductive particles of filler powders. This task is achieved due to the fact that in the process of 

electrolysis the delivery rate of the filler particles is controlled and regulated by changing the electric field 

strength using a potentiostat. [8]. 

 

Influence of filler content and electrolyte composition 

 

The greatest influence on the content of inclusions in the coating, and, accordingly, on the physical and 

mechanical properties of the coating, has the number of powder particles in the electrolyte. From the literature 

data it follows [3] that with increasing concentration of both large and small particles in the electrolyte, the 

number of inclusions in the coating increases. The number of particles in the CEC increases both with increasing 

size of the fractions of the powders used and with increasing their concentration in the electrolyte. Moreover, 

with increasing the concentration of particles to 50 kg/m3 there is a significant increase in their content in the 

coating. The maximum mass fraction of inclusions in the CEC is achieved at a concentration of particles in the 

electrolyte of 100 kg/m3, so it can be considered optimal for all fractions of powders used. 

The composition and parameters of the electrolyte affect the filler content in the coating in different ways. 

Thus, it was found that the formation of particles and their overgrowth with metal easily proceeds from the 

nickel electrolyte [3,5], and most difficult from the chromium electrolytes. The acidity of the electrolyte is a 

determining factor in the formation of CEC, for example, on the basis of chromium and does not have a 

significant effect on the production of CEC on Nickel basis. Thus, during the deposition of CEC based on Nickel 

using particles up to 10 μm, the change in electrolyte acidity in the range from 2 to 5 pH units does not affect the 

deposition of particles, including pH = 4-5 if the particles are larger than 20 μm [ 1]. 

 

Cathodic current density and electrolyte temperature 

 

Increasing the cathode current density has a positive effect on the overgrowth of particles. In most cases, 

increasing the cathode current density leads to an increase in particle content and increase the thickness of the 

coating, but there is a critical value of the cathode current density exceeding which disrupts the electrolysis 

process and leads to deterioration of CEC [1,5]. 

The current density determines the rate of increase of the galvanic coating, but at a density of more than 2 

kA/m2 the surface of the coating has many defects, poor quality overgrown particles of silicon carbide of large 

fractions. In addition, the possible release of hydrogen ions and the coating is then loose, spongy and with a 

dendrotic structure. At a density of more than 1 kA/m2 the surface has an uneven relief and high roughness. 

Studies have also shown that increasing the current density for non-conductive particles of boron and silicon 

carbide has virtually no effect on the bulk filling of the Nickel matrix with filler. Therefore, in our work, 

electrolysis was performed at a current density in the range of 0.4… 1 kA/m2 [8]. 

It is noted [1] that the temperature regime of electrolytes in obtaining CEC has a certain effect on the 

deposition rate. This effect is especially noticeable when obtaining CEC based on metals of the iron family, 

although a certain pattern of the effect of temperature on the retention of particles in the coating is not observed. 

The presence of two cooling circuits on the installation developed at KhNU allows to stabilize the 

electrolysis temperature in the cathode zone within ± 2 0C, which also helps to stabilize the electrolysis process 

in the formation of the metal matrix and in the formation of coatings with filler particles. It also allows to obtain 

a coating of uniform thickness and with a lower surface roughness [8]. 

 

Electrolyte mixing rate 

 

The mixing rate of the electrolyte-suspension has a particularly large influence on the formation of CEC 

[1, 4]. Stirring of the electrolyte in the electrolysis process accelerates the process of electrochemical deposition 

of metals. Stirring is also necessary to ensure that the particles of the dispersed phase (even less than 1 μm), 

which are in the electrolyte, are always suspended. This is especially important when using particles larger than 

5 microns. It is difficult to establish the explicit regularity of the influence of the stirring speed on the production 

of particles in the CEC, because it is not possible to accurately determine the rate of exit of particles in the 

current. In the general case, with increasing speed of rotation of the stirrer, the content of particles in the coating 

first increases, and then, when a certain limit is reached, decreases. The fraction of the filler powder has a 

determining influence [1, 5]. 

 

Influence of filler type for formation of nickel CEC 

 

The study of the influence of dispersed filler particles of various natures introduced into the electrolyte on 

the process of formation of nickel CECs and their properties is devoted to works [1, 3, 4,5]. They present data on 

the effect of different filler particles on the microhardness, wear resistance and internal stresses of the CEC, 

determine their optimal concentrations in the electrolyte - suspension. Composite electrolytic coatings with 



Problems of Tribology 9 

 

inclusions of titanium, tungsten and silicon carbides have the greatest wear resistance. Zirconium and aluminum 

oxides increase wear resistance to a lesser extent. In addition, carbides significantly (5-8 times) reduce the 

internal stresses of CEC [2]. 

In [6] the influence of electrical conductivity of dispersed particles on their distribution in the nickel 

matrix, structure and quality of precipitation was studied. For non-conductive particles (silicon carbide), their 

uniform distribution in the matrix is characteristic, while for electrically conductive materials (chromium 

carbide), this was not observed. The roughness of coatings filled with chromium carbide particles is higher than 

in CEC Nickel-silicon carbide. The wear resistance of CEC increases with increasing number of particles in the 

matrix [8]. 

Silicon carbide is recommended for the creation of compositions to increase hardness and wear resistance 

under friction without lubrication and at elevated temperatures [10, 11], corrosion resistance [8]. Silicon carbide 

in the nickel matrix improves the properties of the coating: microhardness increases by 1… 2.5 GPa, internal 

stresses decrease by 3… 8 times, and corrosion resistance increases by 4… 50 times [6]. Silicon carbide coatings 

have the best adhesion to steel compared to other fillers. The strength of adhesion to the base has the following 

range, kg/cm2: 487-SiC; 213-TiC; 216-Cr7C3 [5]. 

In addition, silicon carbide has high mechanical properties: microhardness 29… 35 GPa, modulus of 

elasticity E = 394 GPa, tensile strength -180 MPa, flexural strength -173… 225 MPa, compressive strength -800 

MPa [8, 12].  

Silicon carbide has a low cost and is produced in large quantities in the form of powders packaged in 

fractions. Based on the above, in our work we investigated the CEC on a nickel basis with SiC filler of different 

fractions from 100/80 μm to nanoparticles smaller than 50 nm. Thus, SiC powders with the following sizes were 

used in the works: less than 50 nm - nanoparticles; M5; 28/20; 50/40; 100/80 μm. According to the sizes of SiC 

particles the following designations are accepted: Ni-SiCnano; Ni-SiC5; Ni-SiC28; Ni-SiC50; Ni-SiC100. 

 

Additives of surfactants 

 

To intensify the process of deposition of CEC and improve the quality of sediments in the electrolyte is 

introduced various organic and inorganic additives and surfactants (surfactants), which contribute to the receipt 

of uniform and dense sediments with fine crystalline structure. It is known that the addition of soluble organic 

and some inorganic substances changes the cathodic polarization and the equalizing ability of the electrolyte [9]. 

It can be assumed that these substances will significantly affect the process of formation of CEC. Thus, when 

studying the effect of surfactants on the coprecipitation of Nickel with silicon carbide particles, it was found that 

the introduction of cationic surfactants reduces the rate of SiC at low concentrations of substances in the 

electrolyte and increases sharply at high, and the introduction of anionic surfactants at a certain concentration 

completely stops particle deposition. The effect of anionic surfactants is associated with the agglomeration of 

particles as the concentration increases and their deposition in the electrolyte; influence of cationic surfactants - 

with positive charging of particles and their sedimentation with the formation of a dense layer at the cathode. 

In our studies, the electrolyte was additionally injected with sodium surfactant in the amount of 0.01… 

0.02 g/l, which according to [12] promotes the inclusion of SiC particles in the coating and improves the 

conditions for building a nickel matrix. 

Amorphous boron powders with a size of about 1 μm were also added to the silicon carbides as a filler, 

which is explained by the possibility of boron and nickel interaction during the subsequent heat treatment of the 

coating and obtaining new structures (solid solutions, eutectic, dispersion-hard alloys). 

 

Intensification of CEС formation processes 

 

Among the modern innovations in the technology of electrolytic coatings are the use of non-stationary 

electrical modes (reversible or pulsed currents, the application of alternating current to direct current) [11] and 

the application of ultrasound in the application of electrolytic coatings [10, 11]. The use of reverse current 

(current with periodic change of polarity) has a positive effect on electrode processes and increases the 

productivity of electrolysis. During the anode period, the microprojections on the cathode dissolve and as a result 

the unevenness of the coating and its porosity decreases. Also, the use of such modes allows to obtain a more 

dispersed structure of the sludge with lower internal stresses. The use of pulsed current (current pulses with a 

very short duration (<1 ms) and an amplitude that is an order of magnitude higher than the limiting current of the 

process) allows to increase the deposition rate to obtain more uniform and fine crystalline sediments, but slightly 

reduced (5-10%) cathode current output. The application of ultrasonic waves allows to precipitate metal at high 

current densities with high current output, electrodeposition of pure metals in the presence of impurities in the 

electrolyte, precipitate smooth, compact, fine with high corrosion resistance and lower internal coating stresses. 

Thus, these methods can improve the structure of the coating, increase microhardness, increase wear resistance 

and anti-corrosion properties. 

 



10 Problems of Tribology 

 

Combined CEС 

 

Analysis of the results of [1-5] shows that combined electrolytic coatings based on Nickel with inclusions 

of dispersed particles have a significantly higher wear resistance than coatings without particles. In the general 

case, the increase in wear resistance of CEС in comparison with pure galvanic coatings is 2.5-5.0 times [2]. 

Comparative tests for friction and wear show a clear advantage of nickel-based CEС with inclusions of oxides, 

borides, carbides, in comparison with hardened steels 45, 40X, 30HGT. It is noted that the inclusion of carbides 

in nickel CEС more significantly increases the wear resistance than the inclusion of oxides, and the lowest wear 

was observed for coatings containing particles of TiC, WC, Cr3C2 [3]. The authors explain the increase in wear 

resistance of Nickel coatings when particles are introduced into them by the fact that solid particles carry the 

main load and contribute to better distribution of lubricants. Coatings with inclusions of WC particles have a 

high microhardness (up to 500 kg/cm2) and, accordingly, less wear than Nickel. The wear resistance of combined 

layers with SiC is almost 70% higher than for nickel without carbide. Data on the wear rate of composite 

coatings after heat treatment with nickel borides and chrome coatings are also given. It is noted that CEМ with 

borides have the same wear resistance as chrome coatings, and sometimes exceed it. 

In the absence of lubricant, galvanic coatings effectively reduce the coefficient of friction only when 

applied to a solid substrate. Coating steel with copper, zinc, tin, nickel, lead can reduce the coefficient of friction. 

Applying such coatings on a soft base is not acceptable for friction joints [3]. 

Wear and degree of destruction of CEC depend on friction conditions. At high specific loads (200 N/cm2) 

plastic deformation precedes the formation of microcracks, which due to insufficient strength of adhesion of the 

coating to the matrix develops mainly at the interface. For reliable operation of the friction unit, the mechanical 

properties of the CEС matrix must be consistent with the external operating conditions. 

The mechanical and antifriction properties of CEC have a significant effect on the crystal structure of the 

particles. Borides and carbides increase the hardness of CEC most effectively. Particles with a cubic crystal 

structure significantly increase the hardness of nickel coatings. This is due to a more even distribution of local 

stresses in the volume of coverage and a significant improvement in the elastic properties of the matrix. 

In [2,3,4,12] the hardness, wear resistance and structure of CEС on a nickel basis with microparticles of 

boron carbide, chromium, silicon, titanium, industrial micropowders of carborundum and electrocorundum, 

synthetic diamonds when reaching their maximum content in coverage. Increasing the concentration of 

micropowder M1 from 50 to 300 g/l leads to an increase in the number of inclusions from 4 to 10% and 

microhardness from 3.25 to 4.5 GPa. Increasing the volume fraction of silicon carbide particles from 3.8 to 

18.9% increases the microhardness from 2.9 to 5.5 GPa and, accordingly, increases the wear resistance by 3 

times [12,13]. 

According to the authors of [6], the increase in the microhardness of coatings during the introduction of 

dispersed particles is associated with a change in the substructure of the deposited metals (reducing the size of 

crystal blocks and increasing the density of dislocations). Thus, the existence of optimal concentrations of 

particles of titanium carbide, zirconium dioxide and kaolin (30-50 g/l) in the nickel electrolyte, which correspond 

to the minimum block size and maximum micro-distortion size and dislocation density. The change in the size of 

the blocks in Nickel coatings is due to the different effects of particles introduced into the electrolyte on the ratio 

of growth rates and passivation of crystals. According to the author, the grinding of the blocks is facilitated by 

submicroscopic particles that are included in the sediment and prevent the growth of crystals by shielding their 

surface. The content of particles in the electrolyte has only an indirect effect on the substructure of the matrix. 

The decrease in mosaic blocks with increasing concentration of particles in the suspension can be explained by 

the depassative effect of not all particles in the electrolyte, but only by the action of particles deposited on the 

growth front of the matrix. 

 

Self-lubricating CEС 

 

Self-lubricating coatings are also used to reduce friction steam wear [2,5]. These are CEСs, which contain 

solid lubricant particles and have a better ability to run and reduced friction. As the second phase in such 

coatings are particles of molybdenum disulfide, graphite, boron nitride and other substances. The introduction of 

such particles into the matrix usually increases its plasticity and the tendency of coatings to deformation 

hardening. Coatings with solid lubricants are suitable for use in vacuum conditions, and their use for air friction 

units is limited by the temperature regime and the tendency to oxidation of particles and as a result the 

coefficient of friction increases sharply. However, at moderate loads and sliding speeds, solid lubricants 

significantly reduced the wear of CEС [14].  

Thus, the dispersed particles to obtain CEС must be selected taking into account their properties, nature 

and crystal structure, properties of the matrix, its crystal structure and friction conditions. 

 

Heat treatment of CEС 

 



Problems of Tribology 11 

 

The analysis of CEС on a nickel basis testifies to wide technological possibilities of their reception and a 

variety of the received structures and their properties. Electrochemically deposited metals in most cases do not 

require further heat treatment and are in a state typical of metals that are subjected to low-temperature hardening. 

However, due to the lack of coherent connection of particles with the matrix, it is possible to chip particles in the 

process. At the same time, the level of wear resistance of CEС is low in comparison with hard chrome coverings. 

In addition, electrolytic coatings, including CEС, in comparison with others have a number of disadvantages, 

namely: low adhesion to the substrate, the presence of pores and microdefects, internal stresses, sludge flooding. 

Therefore, many researchers [3, 4, 8,9] have studied the effect of annealing on the hardness and wear resistance 

of CEС, in order to improve the strength of adhesion to the metal substrate, increase the density of sediments by 

overgrowing pores, cracks and other defects inherent in electrolytic coatings. Thus, in the process of heat 

treatment there is a recrystallization of the metal and a change in properties, namely the improvement of ductility 

and wear resistance. In [9] studies on the effect of annealing modes on the bond strength of CEС Nickel-silicon 

carbide, Nickel-carborundum with aluminum alloys AK-18, AL-7, AD-25. The maximum bond strength of these 

coatings with the substrate was achieved after annealing at a temperature of 200 ° C for 2 hours. Studies 

[3,16,17] aimed at increasing the hardness of nickel-based CEС with the inclusion of oxides of chromium, 

titanium, thorium, aluminum, as well as chromium and silicon carbides due to their annealing did not give 

positive results. Annealing carried out in the temperature range from 200 to 7000C, led to a loss of hardness, 

apparently due to the removal of internal stresses and weakening of the Nickel matrix. The microhardness of 

coatings with increasing annealing temperature decreased from 3.2-4.8 GPa to 2.0-3.2 GPa. 

In some cases, combined electrolytic coatings are subjected to heat treatment to improve mechanical 

properties (high temperature resistance) or to detect the tendency to oxidation at high temperatures. For example, 

coatings of Ni + Al2O3, Ni + Ti and others. show increased durability at high temperatures. This type of heat 

treatment does not lead to the creation of qualitatively new structures and does not change the phase composition 

of the coatings. 

It is possible to significantly increase the operational properties of CEС by heat treatment by conducting 

filler particles in them, which tend to interact with the metal matrix and form solid solutions and chemical 

compounds with high hardness and wear resistance. Thus, in [3, 4] data on heat treatment of combined 

electrolytic coatings based on Nickel, which aims to qualitatively change the phase composition and structure of 

the coating. The authors of these works received coatings containing powders of tungsten and molybdenum, 

which were subjected to subsequent annealing. Annealing of other electrolytic compositions, such as Ni+Cr 

(powder) and Fe+Cr (powder), leads to coatings such as stainless steel [5]. The process of heat treatment of 

composite coatings can be considered as a kind of chemical-heat treatment, in which the diffusion element is 

inside the metal matrix. In addition, the heat treatment of CEС can be carried out using concentrated energy 

sources such as lasers, high frequency currents, solar energy. The main advantages of such processing are 

locality, possibility of receiving high temperatures at insignificant duration of processing, high speeds of heating 

and cooling. The prospects for the use of these energy sources in heat treatment are noted in [3, 17, 18]. But in 

them the main attention is paid to studying of the structures formed at such processing. Based on this, it is of 

practical interest to study the possibility of improving the physical and mechanical properties of nickel-based 

CEС by introducing into their composition metals capable of heat treatment, interact with the metal matrix to 

form solid substitution solutions and chemical compounds (solid implementation phases) and determine 

tribotechnical characteristics of these coatings [8, 19]. 

Based on the analysis, thermal annealing in a muffle furnace was performed at a temperature of 400oC for 

1… 2 h, which increased the cavitation-erosion resistance of the Ni-SiCnano composition by approximately 20% 

in hard water and about 30% in 3% NaCl solution [8]. The latter is due to the reduction and equalization of 

internal stresses in the coating, reducing the heterogeneity of the structure. The annealing temperature was 

chosen on the grounds that irreversible transformations and eutectic formations take place in the temperature 

range 120… 220; 300… 350 and 370… 450oС. 

Vacuum annealing with melting of the coating surface was performed on the installation OKB 8086 at 

temperatures of 1085… 1090oC. After holding in the furnace, the samples were cooled together with the furnace. 

After heat treatment, the microstructure forms a framework consisting of Ni-Ni3B eutectic and Ni3B borides  

with hardness Нµ = 6.6 ... 7.4 GPa. Cavitation-erosion tests of Ni-SiC28-B CEС after vacuum annealing in hard 

water showed that the wear resistance in 2 hours of testing increases, compared to CEС without vacuum 

annealing, 2 times. 

Therefore, vacuum annealing at the temperature of eutectic formation allows to obtain dense, smooth 

coatings with high cavitation and erosion wear resistance. 

 

Conclusions  

 

1. When forming CEС, depending on the physical and mechanical requirements for the surface of the 

part, it is necessary to choose the type of matrix, the nature of the particles and their fractionality, to find the 

optimal technological modes of electrolysis and so on.  



12 Problems of Tribology 

 

2. CEС based on nickel matrix filled with silicon carbide (SiC) particles are promising coatings to 

improve the tribological characteristics of structural steels.  

3. In order to improve the physico-chemical characteristics of the nickel-based CEC, it is necessary to 

introduce chemical compounds into the electrolyte, which as a result of heat treatment form solid substitution 

solutions and solid phases of introduction. 

 

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Problems of Tribology 13 

 

 

Скиба М.Є., Стечишин М.С., Олександренко В.П., Машовець Н.С., Білик Ю.М. 
Зносостійкість композиційних електролітичних покриттів 

 

У статті проведено аналіз впливу композиційних електролітичних покриттів (КЕП) на 

зносостійкість конструкційних сталей.Розглянуті питання вибору матриці і різноманітні поєднання у 

композиційних покриттях різних хімічних елементів та сполук. У промисловості широко 

використовують покриття, в яких металевою основою є хром, нікель, залізо, мідь, кобальт та інші, але 

найбільш широке застосування мають композиційні покриття на основі нікелю. Нікель широко 

використовується в якості матриці для КЕП, тому що він має спорідненість до більшості частинок, що 

застосовуються як друга фаза і легко утворює з ними покриття. Дані покриття використовують з метою 

корозійного захисту, підвищення фізико-механічних та хімічних показників, підвищення твердості та 

зносостійкості, відновлення розмірів, надання поверхні самозмащувальних властивостей.  

На базі створеної установки для нанесення КЕП досліджувалися покриття на нікелевій основі з 

наповнювачем SiC різних фракцій від розміру 100/80 мкм до наночастинок розміром менше 50 нм. Таким 

чином, в роботах використано порошки SiCз розмірами: менше 50 нм- наночастинки; М5; 28/20; 50/40; 

100/80 мкм.  

В проведених дослідженнях в електроліт додатково вводили ПАР-лаурилсульфат натрію в 

кількості 0,01…0,02 г/л, який сприяє включенню частинок SiCв покриття та покращує умови 

нарощування нікелевої матриці. 

До карбідів кремнію в якості наповнювача додавали також порошки аморфного бору розміром 

біля 1 мкм, що пояснюється можливістю взаємодії бору та нікелю при наступній термічній обробці 

покриття і отримання нових його структур (тверді розчини, евтектика, дисперсійно-тверді сплави). 

Практичний інтерес становить вивчення можливості підвищення фізико-механічних властивостей 

КЕП на нікелевій основі введенням у їх склад металів, спроможних у процесі термічної обробки, 

взаємодіяти з металевою матрицею з утворенням твердих розчинів заміщення і хімічних сполук (твердих 

фаз впровадження) та визначення триботехнічних характеристик цих покриттів. 

Ключові слова: композиційні електролітичні покриття (КЕП),зносостійкість