Dispersion strengthening in Ni–Co–Cr–SiC coatings: Effects of particle-matrix adhesion and dislocation obstruction revealed by multiscale modeling

This study aims to develop a high-hardness, wear-resistant Ni–Co–Cr–SiC composite coating to address increasingly stringent substrate protection requirements. The Ni–Co–Cr–SiC composite coating was fabricated via composite electrodeposition. The dispersion strengthening mechanism of SiC particles wa...

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Main Authors: Peng Liu, Dengfu Chen, Qian Hua, Yucheng Wang, Rongcheng Sheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Materials Research and Technology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425017624
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author Peng Liu
Dengfu Chen
Qian Hua
Yucheng Wang
Rongcheng Sheng
author_facet Peng Liu
Dengfu Chen
Qian Hua
Yucheng Wang
Rongcheng Sheng
author_sort Peng Liu
collection DOAJ
description This study aims to develop a high-hardness, wear-resistant Ni–Co–Cr–SiC composite coating to address increasingly stringent substrate protection requirements. The Ni–Co–Cr–SiC composite coating was fabricated via composite electrodeposition. The dispersion strengthening mechanism of SiC particles was elucidated through molecular dynamics simulations. SiC particles significantly enhanced coating performance, achieving a hardness of 878 HV and reducing the wear rate to 0.022 mm3/(N·m) (54 % lower than without addition). Microstructural characterization confirmed predominantly incoherent interfaces between SiC particles and the matrix, with the presence of semi-coherent structures (e.g., SiC(001)[101]//Ni–Co–Cr(111)[101]). Molecular dynamics calculations revealed that the work of separation for SiC-matrix interfaces (5.296–14.842 J/m2) significantly exceeds that of Ni–Co–Cr grain boundaries (3.095–3.380 J/m2). Tensile strength follows a power-law relationship with SiC volume fraction. Plasticity exhibits a sharp decline when the SiC volume fraction exceeds 3.5 %. Analysis of dislocation and stacking fault evolution demonstrates that particles promote dislocation nucleation and the formation of immobile dislocations. The hindering effect on dislocation glide is primarily governed by the dislocation necking distance (influenced by particle size), with an optimal particle spacing of 3.57 times the particle size. Particles inhibit deformation by pinning grain boundaries. This work provides theoretical support at the atomic level for the design of high-strength, wear-resistant coatings.
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spelling doaj-art-9ac631c4e4ba4742aabd94e6da33046b2025-08-20T02:39:28ZengElsevierJournal of Materials Research and Technology2238-78542025-07-01374490450410.1016/j.jmrt.2025.07.104Dispersion strengthening in Ni–Co–Cr–SiC coatings: Effects of particle-matrix adhesion and dislocation obstruction revealed by multiscale modelingPeng Liu0Dengfu Chen1Qian Hua2Yucheng Wang3Rongcheng Sheng4United Technology Center, Western Metal Material Co., LTD, Xi'an, 710200, China; Corresponding author.School of Materials Science and Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China; Corresponding author.Western Titanium Technologies Co., LTD, Xi'an, 710200, ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, ChinaThis study aims to develop a high-hardness, wear-resistant Ni–Co–Cr–SiC composite coating to address increasingly stringent substrate protection requirements. The Ni–Co–Cr–SiC composite coating was fabricated via composite electrodeposition. The dispersion strengthening mechanism of SiC particles was elucidated through molecular dynamics simulations. SiC particles significantly enhanced coating performance, achieving a hardness of 878 HV and reducing the wear rate to 0.022 mm3/(N·m) (54 % lower than without addition). Microstructural characterization confirmed predominantly incoherent interfaces between SiC particles and the matrix, with the presence of semi-coherent structures (e.g., SiC(001)[101]//Ni–Co–Cr(111)[101]). Molecular dynamics calculations revealed that the work of separation for SiC-matrix interfaces (5.296–14.842 J/m2) significantly exceeds that of Ni–Co–Cr grain boundaries (3.095–3.380 J/m2). Tensile strength follows a power-law relationship with SiC volume fraction. Plasticity exhibits a sharp decline when the SiC volume fraction exceeds 3.5 %. Analysis of dislocation and stacking fault evolution demonstrates that particles promote dislocation nucleation and the formation of immobile dislocations. The hindering effect on dislocation glide is primarily governed by the dislocation necking distance (influenced by particle size), with an optimal particle spacing of 3.57 times the particle size. Particles inhibit deformation by pinning grain boundaries. This work provides theoretical support at the atomic level for the design of high-strength, wear-resistant coatings.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425017624Dispersion strengtheningSiC particleNi–Co–CrComposite platingMolecular dynamic
spellingShingle Peng Liu
Dengfu Chen
Qian Hua
Yucheng Wang
Rongcheng Sheng
Dispersion strengthening in Ni–Co–Cr–SiC coatings: Effects of particle-matrix adhesion and dislocation obstruction revealed by multiscale modeling
Journal of Materials Research and Technology
Dispersion strengthening
SiC particle
Ni–Co–Cr
Composite plating
Molecular dynamic
title Dispersion strengthening in Ni–Co–Cr–SiC coatings: Effects of particle-matrix adhesion and dislocation obstruction revealed by multiscale modeling
title_full Dispersion strengthening in Ni–Co–Cr–SiC coatings: Effects of particle-matrix adhesion and dislocation obstruction revealed by multiscale modeling
title_fullStr Dispersion strengthening in Ni–Co–Cr–SiC coatings: Effects of particle-matrix adhesion and dislocation obstruction revealed by multiscale modeling
title_full_unstemmed Dispersion strengthening in Ni–Co–Cr–SiC coatings: Effects of particle-matrix adhesion and dislocation obstruction revealed by multiscale modeling
title_short Dispersion strengthening in Ni–Co–Cr–SiC coatings: Effects of particle-matrix adhesion and dislocation obstruction revealed by multiscale modeling
title_sort dispersion strengthening in ni co cr sic coatings effects of particle matrix adhesion and dislocation obstruction revealed by multiscale modeling
topic Dispersion strengthening
SiC particle
Ni–Co–Cr
Composite plating
Molecular dynamic
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425017624
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