Mechanical properties, antifriction and anticorrosion of electrodeposited FeCoNiCr high-entropy alloy coatings under different current density

FeCoNiCr high-entropy alloy coatings are prepared using the direct current electrodeposition method and the effect of current densities on the surface morphology, phase structure, hardness, elastic modulus, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance has been investigated. The results have demonstrated that current density has a significant impact on the composition, structure and properties of these coatings. With increasing current density, surface morphology of coatings changes from a flat structure to a cauliflower-like structure and the coexistence of FCC and amorphous phase has been confirmed. When the current density was 10 A/dm 2 , the highest hardness (600.9 HV), lowest friction coefficient (0.2121) and wear rate (2.137 × 10 −5 mm 3 /N.m), as well as highest corrosion resistance (I corr = 28.4 μA/cm 2 , Ecorr = −0317 V) are obtained. Simultaneously, it has a high elastic modulus of 47 GPa determined by AFM. The element composition, phase structure and grain size play a key role in the properties of coatings.