Comparative Investigation of the Microstructure, Hardness, and Tribological Properties of Electroless Ni–B Composite Coatings Reinforced with TiO₂ and ZrO₂

Deniz Gültekin

doi:10.16984/saufenbilder.1776359

Comparative Investigation of the Microstructure, Hardness, and Tribological Properties of Electroless Ni–B Composite Coatings Reinforced with TiO₂ and ZrO₂

Abstract

This study focuses on the electroless deposition and characterization of Ni–B composite coatings reinforced with TiO₂ and ZrO₂ ceramic particles. Coatings were deposited on steel substrates using an acidic bath (NiSO₄·6H₂O, DMAB, thiourea, sodium acetate) under controlled conditions (65 ± 3 °C, pH 6, 350 rpm, 45 min) with reinforcement contents of 0 to 15 g/L. The coatings were systematically evaluated in terms of morphology, structure, hardness, and tribological performance. Ni–B exhibited the typical nodular morphology, while the incorporation of TiO₂ and ZrO₂ progressively modified surface features. At moderate concentrations, both reinforcements were uniformly dispersed within the matrix, whereas higher contents led to particle clustering and microstructural heterogeneity. XRD confirmed the amorphous–nanocrystalline nature of Ni–B; TiO₂ acted mainly as an inert phase, while ZrO₂ promoted localized crystallization, resulting in harder and more stable structures. Microhardness increased from ~750 HV for plain Ni–B to ~985 HV (TiO₂) and ~1080 HV (ZrO₂) at 10 g/L, with a slight decline at higher loadings due to agglomeration. Tribological tests demonstrated that both reinforcements improved wear resistance and reduced friction, with TiO₂ yielding more stable friction coefficients and ZrO₂ providing superior resistance to material loss. These results highlight the potential of TiO₂- and ZrO₂-reinforced Ni–B coatings as sustainable alternatives with improved mechanical and tribological functionality for engineering applications.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

National Boron Research Institute of Turkey (BOREN) Sakarya University Scientific Research Projects Unit

Project Number

This study was supported by the National Boron Research Institute of Turkey (Project Number: 2017-31-07-25-001) and by the Scientific Research Projects Unit of Sakarya University (Project Number: 2024-25-60-74).

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Materials Engineering (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Deniz Gültekin ^*
0000-0002-6941-7539
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

December 12, 2025

Publication Date

December 23, 2025

Submission Date

September 2, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 1, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 29 Number: 6

DOI

https://doi.org/10.16984/saufenbilder.1776359

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA33RU89NR

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Gültekin, D. (2025). Comparative Investigation of the Microstructure, Hardness, and Tribological Properties of Electroless Ni–B Composite Coatings Reinforced with TiO₂ and ZrO₂. Sakarya University Journal of Science, 29(6), 660-672. https://doi.org/10.16984/saufenbilder.1776359

AMA

1.Gültekin D. Comparative Investigation of the Microstructure, Hardness, and Tribological Properties of Electroless Ni–B Composite Coatings Reinforced with TiO₂ and ZrO₂. SAUJS. 2025;29(6):660-672. doi:10.16984/saufenbilder.1776359

Chicago

Gültekin, Deniz. 2025. “Comparative Investigation of the Microstructure, Hardness, and Tribological Properties of Electroless Ni–B Composite Coatings Reinforced With TiO₂ and ZrO₂”. Sakarya University Journal of Science 29 (6): 660-72. https://doi.org/10.16984/saufenbilder.1776359.

EndNote

Gültekin D (December 1, 2025) Comparative Investigation of the Microstructure, Hardness, and Tribological Properties of Electroless Ni–B Composite Coatings Reinforced with TiO₂ and ZrO₂. Sakarya University Journal of Science 29 6 660–672.

IEEE

[1]D. Gültekin, “Comparative Investigation of the Microstructure, Hardness, and Tribological Properties of Electroless Ni–B Composite Coatings Reinforced with TiO₂ and ZrO₂”, SAUJS, vol. 29, no. 6, pp. 660–672, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.16984/saufenbilder.1776359.

ISNAD

Gültekin, Deniz. “Comparative Investigation of the Microstructure, Hardness, and Tribological Properties of Electroless Ni–B Composite Coatings Reinforced With TiO₂ and ZrO₂”. Sakarya University Journal of Science 29/6 (December 1, 2025): 660-672. https://doi.org/10.16984/saufenbilder.1776359.

JAMA

1.Gültekin D. Comparative Investigation of the Microstructure, Hardness, and Tribological Properties of Electroless Ni–B Composite Coatings Reinforced with TiO₂ and ZrO₂. SAUJS. 2025;29:660–672.

MLA

Gültekin, Deniz. “Comparative Investigation of the Microstructure, Hardness, and Tribological Properties of Electroless Ni–B Composite Coatings Reinforced With TiO₂ and ZrO₂”. Sakarya University Journal of Science, vol. 29, no. 6, Dec. 2025, pp. 660-72, doi:10.16984/saufenbilder.1776359.

Vancouver

1.Deniz Gültekin. Comparative Investigation of the Microstructure, Hardness, and Tribological Properties of Electroless Ni–B Composite Coatings Reinforced with TiO₂ and ZrO₂. SAUJS. 2025 Dec. 1;29(6):660-72. doi:10.16984/saufenbilder.1776359