Formation of a Composite Coating by Crystallization of a Supersaturated Solid Solution in the Ni–W System

Composite electrochemical coatings (CECs) are perceived as the result of the electrochemical reduction of metal from an electrolyte in which dispersed phase particles are present. During the formation of the coating, particles are included in its volume and a composite layer is formed that has increased performance characteristics. The article discusses a different approach based on crystallization of the strengthening phase from an electrodeposited layer of a Ni–W alloy of nonequilibrium composition. It has been shown that the optimal heat treatment mode, which ensures maximum microhardness, leads to the formation of a nanostructured matrix from a solid solution of tungsten in nickel and the crystallization of NiW and Ni₄W reinforcing particles. The structure of such a coating corresponds to the structure of classical CECs.