Usage Of Electroless Ni Plated WC-Ti Powders In Ceramic –Metal Composite

Abstract

Metal matrix composites are employed in manufacturing applications such as cutting disks and tips. Ni-Ti metal matrix composites, that is used as an aerospace alloy, have been fabricated by tube furnace sintering at various temperatures with a reinforcing agent of WC. A mixture of %50Ni, %46.66WC and %3.33Ti powders was sintered in a tube furnace under Ar shroud and electroless plating technique was employed to deposit a uniform layer of Ni. One of the benefits that electroless plating provides is that it allows increased density by closer surface contact. A temperature range of 1000-1400C was used to sinter powders, which resulted in a composite consisting of a ceramic phase, WC in a metal matrix of WCNi, NiTi. Several characterization techniques have been used to reveal the mechanical and physical properties of specimens, such as X-Ray diffraction, SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), density and hardness measurements. Experimental results suggest that the highest sintering temperature resulted in a hardness of 429.1HV at 1400C. Electroless plating of %50Ni, %46.66WC and 3.33Ti powders provided a better bonding than conventional techniques and is a promising technique to produce ceramic reinforced NiWCTi composites.

Keywords

• Ceramic-Metal Composites,Electroless Nickel Coatings

References

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