Preparation and Anti-Corrosion Performance Investigation of Ni–SiC Composites Produced at Different Ultrasonic Powers

To enhance the anti-corrosion performance of storage tanks, Ni-SiC composites were successfully fabricated on the surface of Q345 steel substrate via the ultrasonic electrodeposition technique. The influence of ultrasonic power on the surface morphology, element content, phase structure, and anti-corrosion performance of Ni-SiC composites were explored utilizing a scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and an electrochemical workstation, respectively. SEM images showed that the Ni-SiC composites obtained at 120 W had a flat, dense surface morphology, with a uniform distribution of SiC nanoparticles (NPs) and a refined size of nickel grains. Meanwhile, the Si content (7.3 wt.%) of Ni-SiC composites prepared at 120 W was obviously higher than those obtained at 0 W (4.8 wt.%) and 60 W (6.1 wt.%). The thicknesses and adhesion force of Ni-SiC composites manufactured at 120 W were the largest of 103.5 μm and 51.2 N, respectively. XRD patterns presented that the diffraction peaks intensity and width of Ni-SiC composites manufactured at 120 W were lower and broader than that of Ni-SiC composites manufactured at 0 W and 60 W. A corrosion test illustrated that the Ni-SiC composites prepared at 120 W had the lowest corrosion current of 3.5 × 10^-3 mA/cm², the lowest corrosive weight loss (4.2 mg) and corrosion rate (0.06 mg/h), while the corrosion potential was the highest of -0.41 V, which demonstrated the best anti-corrosion performance. In addition, the co-deposition mechanism of SiC NPs and Ni²⁺ ions was also analyzed.