Effect of TiN concentration on microstructure and properties of Ni/W–TiN composites obtained by pulse current electrodeposition

In this study, Ni/W–TiN composites were fabricated by the pulse current electrodeposition (PCE) method. The effects of TiN concentration on the microstructure, microhardness, and wear properties of the resulting composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), microhardness tester, and friction wear testing. Among the four obtained composites, Ni/W–TiN composite prepared at 8 g/L showed the densest and finest surface structure. The TiN contents in obtained Ni/W–TiN composites at 8 and 16 g/L were estimated to 8.1 and 5.4 wt%, respectively. The average Ni/W grain diameter in Ni/W–TiN composite obtained at 8 g/L TiN was recorded as 84.7 nm. The protrusion and depression heights of the composite deposited at 8 g/L were 81.8 and 45.4 nm, respectively. This composite also processed an average microhardness of 897.6 HV, with only a few shallow and narrow scratches on its worn surface, demonstrating its prominent wear resistance when compared to the other three composites.