Enhanced wear resistance of Ni-Mo-TiN composite coating by synergistic effect of tough Ni-Mo matrix and hard TiN particles

To improve the wear resistance of the metallic components, Ni–Mo-TiN composite coating was prepared via pulsed electrodeposition. The microstructure, mechanical, and tribological characteristics were compared to those of Ni–Mo coating. The results revealed that the addition of TiN reduced internal stress within the Ni-Mo-TiN composite coating and mitigated the propensity for crack formation during both the coating preparation and friction testing. Grooves and pits are observed on the Ni-Mo coating, indicating a typical feature of fatigue wear. Owing to the synergistic effect of the tough Ni-Mo matrix and hard TiN particles, the Ni-Mo-TiN coating was characterized by micro-cutting and superior wear resistance. Based on the experimental results, the effects of TiN on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear resistance of the Ni-Mo coating were discussed.