Abstract
We report a powder technique to produce electroplated gold-nickel-zirconium dioxide (Au-Ni-ZrO
2
) nanostructured composite coatings with improved hardness, scratch resistance and wear resistance. A small amount of solid powder ZrO
2
has been added into the traditional Au-Ni electroplating solution to synthesise nanoparticle reinforced composite coatings. Mechanical properties were investigated using nanoindentation and wear tester. The results indicated that the hardness was increased to 2·88±0·13 GPa, compared to 2·55±0·13 GPa of the plain Au-Ni coating; the scratch displacement was decreased to 36·8±3·6 nm from 58·8±3·7 nm and the wear resistance (wear track) was improved from 95 to 80 μm. Based on the investigation of phase structure and surface morphology, the hardening mechanism has also been discussed.