High temperature oxidation of Ni–W coatings electroplated on steel

The high-temperature oxidation of Ni–16 at.% W coating electroplated on the steel substrate was studied at 700 and 800 °C in air. Before oxidation, the coating consisted of supersaturated, nanocrystalline Ni grains. During oxidation, oxygen diffused inward, Ni and the substrate elements such as Fe and Cr diffused outward. The outer NiO layer was not pure but had some dissolved ions of W⁶⁺ and Fe³⁺. Some Fe³⁺ ions were dissolved in the inner (NiO+NiWO₄) mixed layer, below which (W, Fe)-supersaturated, unoxidized Ni grains existed. Below these grains, tiny Ni–W–Fe precipitates, which were formed by the outward diffusion of Fe from the substrate, were surrounded by unoxidized (Fe-enriched, Cr-containing) Ni grains. Detailed oxidation mechanism of Ni–16 at.% W coating is proposed.