Preparation and corrosion resistance of electroless Ni–P coatings on B4C/Al composite
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study focuses on optimizing the electroless nickel plating process on laboratory-prepared B4C/Al composites. Orthogonal experiments identified the optimal bath composition as NiSO4 50 g/L, NaH2PO2 30 g/L, and C3H6O3 25 mL/L. The resulting coating possesses a binary amorphous structure with a uniform phosphorus content of 11.4 wt%. Single-factor experiments indicate that 85°C is the optimal temperature for achieving a dense structure. Furthermore, extending the deposition time to 120 min significantly enhances corrosion resistance by sealing micropores. Under these optimized conditions, the coating exhibits superior performance. The deposition rate reaches 15.6 μm/h, the corrosion current density is as low as 1.8 μA/cm2, and the accelerated corrosion area ratio is merely 1.07%. Additionally, a two-stage "nucleation-thickening" growth model was proposed. The process involves selective nucleation on the Zn layer, lateral growth to fill surface gaps, and stable vertical thickening. Finally, the corrosion failure is identified as an interface-dominated mechanism. Corrosive media penetrate through corrosion channels to trigger a strong galvanic reaction between the coating and the substrate. The resulting accumulation of corrosion products and internal stress leads to coating blistering and detachment.
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,640
OpenAlex ID: W7129020830