Thematic area of your work (one of the thematic areas of International research and practice conference "Nanotechnology and nanomaterials")

Electroless nickel deposition using Sn/Pd catalyst on SiC nanofibers
Matik U. 
Machine and Metal Technologies Department, Karabuk University, 78050 Karabuk, TURKEY.
E-mail: matik@karabuk.edu.tr

SiC fibers are attractive structural materials with excellent mechanical properties [1]. Therefore, SiC fibers are especially preferred as reinforcement in metal matrix composites (MMCs). However, a critical step in the MMC processing is the incorporation of the ceramic materials into the molten matrix alloy. In general, the reinforcement of ceramic particles is very difficult to wet by a liquid metal [2]. For this reason, some pre-treatments have to be applied in order to improve the wettability of the ceramic particles. One of them is the coating of ceramic particles with a metal.  
The electroless deposition of Ni on SiC nanofibers (Sigma-Aldrich) with size of D<2.5 μm, L/D≥20 has been studied by following SnCl2 sensitization and PdCl2 activation processes. The phases and morphology of Ni coated SiC nanofibers were examined by SEM and EDX. 
SiC nanofibers were successfully deposited with an electroless nickel plating solution after the Sn/Pd activation processes. The structure of electroless Ni coated SiC nanofibers were assessed as a beneficial surface modification to improve interfacial bonding strength between the matrix phase and the dispersed phase for MMC manufacturing. In addition, the nickel coating may be applied on other ceramic materials as a barrier coating to prevent undesirable reactions between the matrix phase and the dispersed phase.

1.	Oda H.,  Ishikawa T. Effects of the Microstructure, and Degradation Reaction Under Heat-Treatment on Mechanical Properties of SiC-Polycrystalline Fiber // Advances in High Temperature Ceramic Matrix Composites and Materials for Sustainable Development // - 2017.-P. 55-64.
2.	 Hashim J., Looney L., Hashmi M. S. J. The wettability of SiC particles by molten aluminium alloy // J. Mater. Pro. Tech.-2001.-119.-P. 324-328.