Growth, corrosion, and wear study of nanocomposite PEO coating in electrolyte containing nickel sulfate

Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) was performed on a 1010 Aluminum alloy. To achieve thenanocomposite structure, Si3N4 nanoparticles were added into the electrolyte. In an alkaline aqueoussuspension (silicate-based), the effect of adding NiSO4 on the applied voltage, microstructure,composition, wear, and corrosion resistance of PEO coatings was investigated using ScanningElectron Microscopy (SEM), elemental analysis with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), X-RayDiffraction (XRD), cyclic polarization test, and pin-on-disk wear test. The results showed that addingnickel sulfate (NiSO4) and infiltration of its constituents into coatings lead to a more favored corrosionbehavior. Moreover, in the case of best sample, anodic current at the highest applied potentialcondition during the cyclic polarization test indicated a drop within two decades. Moreover,coefficient of friction decreased almost by half.