Production and wear property of electroless Ni-plated B4C-AstaloyCr-M composites

Nickel (Ni) matrix reinforced with boron carbide (B4C) has been produced by conventional furnace sintering at various temperatures. A uniform Ni layer on B4C powders was deposited prior to sintering using electroless plating technique, allowing close surface contact between particles. A composite consisting of quaternary additions, a ceramic phase, B4C, within a matrix of Ni and AstaloyCr-M powders has been prepared at a temperature range of 1000°C–1200°C under Ar shroud. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study, compressive testing, and hardness measurements were employed to characterize the properties of the composite. Experimental results showed that the best properties as compressive strength σmax and hardness (HB) were obtained at 1150°C. Wear resistance was relatively higher than cast iron.