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Optimization of Electroless Nickel Tungsten Composite Coating on 3D-Printed ABS Substrate for Maximum Tungsten Content

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Abstract

Electroless nickel phosphorous tungsten (Ni-P-W) coating is widely used to improve the wear and hardness of steel. Studies on the composite coating of plastics, and in particular, additive manufactured parts are lacking. Many applications are demanding high hardness and high-temperature stability of the 3D-printed parts. The purpose of this work is to study the electroless Ni-P-W composite coating on the digital acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) substrate, 3D printed by polyjet technology. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) are used to study structural morphology, composition, and phase structure of the coating, respectively. Electroless Ni-P-W coating on digital ABS-printed parts was successfully carried and optimized for maximum tungsten content in the coating. Finally the thermal stabilities of developed coating are compared with electroless nickel coating. The study revealed that the low level of pH and sodium tungstate in the bath results in the maximum percentage of tungsten in the coating with higher hardness. SEM and EDX analyses show a smooth crack-free surface with 4.77 wt.% of tungsten in the coating, respectively. XRD studies of the coating show amorphous nature of the coating at low pH with maximum tungsten content while at high pH, the tungsten content reduces, and the coating becomes crystalline. The developed electroless nickel tungsten composite coating with higher thermal stability can enhance the use of 3D-printed ABS parts in many applications like rapid tooling for injection moulding, electric discharge machine (EDM) tooling and electronic industries for electromagnetic shielding.

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Acknowledgments

This paper is a revised and expanded version of an article entitled, ‘Optimization of Electroless Nickel Tungsten Composite Coating on 3D-Printed ABS Substrate for Maximum Tungsten Content’ presented in ‘7th International Conference on Advancements and Futuristic Trends in Mechanical and Materials Engineering’ held at Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Roopnagar, India during December 5–7, 2019.

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  1. Department of Production Engineering and Industrial Management, College of Engineering Pune, Pune, Maharashtra, 411005, India

    Mohemmed Suleman Noor Mohemmed Shaikh & Bharatkumar Bhagatraj Ahuja

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  1. Mohemmed Suleman Noor Mohemmed Shaikh
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Correspondence to Mohemmed Suleman Noor Mohemmed Shaikh.

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The present work is carried with the help of funding received from All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), New Delhi, India, for the development of a metal-coated plastic tool using additive manufacturing for EDM applications under Research Promotion Scheme (Letter Number: 20/AICTE/RIFD/RPS (POLICY—II)54/2012-13).

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Shaikh, M.S.N.M., Ahuja, B.B. Optimization of Electroless Nickel Tungsten Composite Coating on 3D-Printed ABS Substrate for Maximum Tungsten Content. J. Inst. Eng. India Ser. C 103, 69–82 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40032-020-00630-2

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