ABSTRACT
Nickel-boron (NiB) coatings have their typical cauliflower-like surface morphology, which has the ability to retain lubricant and improve the wear properties. The applications of NiB coatings in the vehicle industry are commonly related to the high wear properties of this material, and with the possibility of coating polymers, the vehicle-use generator pulley is one of the examples. The electronics industry has been using electroless NiB plating to form a conductive and protective film for protecting the surface of semiconductor and nonconducting substrates. A large range of blades can be coated with NiB coating: blades for cutting, slicing, sawing, or slitting various materials. NiB coatings have also been used in firearms to enhance wear resistance and lubrication properties. The hydrogenation of phenol and its derivatives was also studied in the presence of NiB catalyst. In the electronics industry, the use of electroless nickel coatings aims to minimize the use of gold or other noble metal.
