Preparation of Al/TiC Nanocomposite Coatings on 304 stainless steel via Electrodeposition in inorganic Molten Salts

Abstract

The electrodeposition of nanocomposite coatings has been widely investigated in aqueous solutions and room temperature ionic liquids, but there are no literature reports of that in inorganic molten salts. In this study, Al/TiC nanocomposite coatings were successfully electrodeposited in an AlCl3-based molten inorganic salt. The electrodeposited composite was investigated using an AlCl3-NaCl-KCl electrolyte containing dispersed TiC particles with a mean size of 50 nm. The micromorphologies of the surface and cross-section of the produced nanocomposite coating were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A smooth and compact nanocomposite was coated well on the substrate. The presence of TiC nanoparticles in the Al coating was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This method of electrodepositing nanocomposite coatings in inorganic molten salts could also be used for preparing refractory metal-based (such as Wand Ti-based) and Mg-based nanocomposite coatings.