[en] 3 commercial types electroless nickel phosphorous baths - low, mid and high phosphorous - and 2 lab-developed electroless nickel-boron bath - both based on borohydride but differing by their stabilizer, lead and thallium salts respectively - were used in this study. Samples were investigated in the as-deposited and heat treated condition (after treatment at 400°C for 1 hour).
The samples were fully characterized by GD-OES, SEM and x-ray diffraction in order to assess their chemistry, morphology and structure. Their hardness was assessed by Knoop microindentation and the boron-stabilized bath presented the better behavior. The same coating also presented the better properties during Taber abrasion test with CS-10 abrasive wheels. Some coatings were also submitted to pin on disc wear test. Scratch test behavior of the various samples was also investigated with the aim of assessing the adhesion of the various coatings on the substrates and identifying the damage mechanisms of the various electroless nickel deposits.
