LAUSR

Abstract Electroless Ni-B and Ni-B-Sn ternary alloy nano-coatings were deposited successfully on aluminum substrate from alkaline borohydride bath. The coatings were analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). X-ray diffraction (XRD) was performed to investigate the phase structure characterization of the coated samples; the crystal size was calculated using Scherrer's equation. The properties of Ni-B-Sn coatings such as hardness and wear resistance were assessed and contrasted with that of Ni-B coating. Moreover, the quality and electrochemical performance of these coatings has been investigated in 3.5% NaCl solution using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization. The influence of heat treatment on the performance of coated samples was studied at 400 °C for 1 h. The results revealed that, the addition of tin particle and heat treatment provides satisfactory enhancement in hardness and wear resistance of the coatings. The electrochemical corrosion performance was highly improved by the integration of tin to Ni-B coating but heat treatment reduces the anticorrosion ability due to the disappearance of the amorphous characteristics of the as-deposited coating.