Deposition and properties of electroless nickel/graphite coatings

Abstract

Composite electroless nickel/graphite deposits containing graphite of 2 & 6μM nominal particle size were deposited using a system based on a commercial electroless nickel solution. The influence of variables such as graphite concentration in solution, particle size and temperature on the volume percentage of graphite incorporated in the deposit were studied. The pin on disc test was used to evaluate frictional and wear characteristics of the coatings produced. It was found that when electroless nickel/graphite coatings containing about 6% graphite were run against themselves a low coefficient of friction was achieved and the rate of wear was less than for electroless nickel alone.