A Review on Properties of Electrodeposited Nickel Composite Coatings: Ni-Al₂O₃, Ni-SiC, Ni-ZrO₂, Ni-TiO₂ and Ni-WC

Nickel electrodeposition is a widely utilized method for creating thin films on various substrates with various desirable attributes. Recently, there has been a growing interest in developing nickel composite coatings that incorporate additional elements or particles into the nickel matrix to enhance their properties. These composite coatings offer superior corrosion resistance, hardness, tribological, and other functional benefits compared with pure nickel coatings. Some of the recent advancements in electrodeposited nickel composite coatings include improved wear resistance, enhanced mechanical properties, and better corrosion resistance. Researchers have discovered that reinforcing the nickel matrix with Al₂O₃, SiC, ZrO₂, WC, and TiO₂ particles to obtain nickel composite coatings can significantly enhance all these important functional properties of various substrates. The uniform distribution of these particles within the nickel matrix acts as a barrier to wear and tear. Studies have also shown that nickel composite coatings with those particles exhibit superior mechanical properties, including increased hardness. These particles help to refine the grain size of the nickel matrix and deter movements that may cause defects, leading to greater mechanical strength. Moreover, nickel composite coatings offer improved protection against corrosion compared with pure nickel coatings. This review provides a detailed discussion of nickel composite coatings with regard to their comparative advantages compared with pure nickel coatings on different substrates.