Designing nickel coatings for water erosion performance: Optimisation of grain size and thickness

Nithin Chandra Gaddavalasa; Arijit Lodh; Andrea Cini; Vinodhen Saaran; Ali Mehmanparast; Andrew Starr; Gustavo M. Castelluccio

doi:10.1016/j.engfailanal.2025.109564

Designing nickel coatings for water erosion performance: Optimisation of grain size and thickness

Nithin Chandra Gaddavalasa
, Arijit Lodh^*
, Andrea Cini
, Vinodhen Saaran
, Ali Mehmanparast
, Andrew Starr
, Gustavo M. Castelluccio

^*Corresponding author for this work

Civil Engineering

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Metallic coatings are gaining interest as an alternative to classical polymeric layers for erosion damage prevention due to their extended durability and sustainability. However, their implementation requires a thorough understanding of protective potential and reliability. This study explores the use of brush-plated nickel coatings on carbon-fibre reinforced composites to enhance their performance against water erosion. A combination of experimental analysis and computational modelling explores the effect of different coating thickness and properties to withstand water droplet erosion damage. Findings reveal a minimum critical coating thickness around 40μm can significantly improve the erosion resistance.

Original language	English
Article number	109564
Number of pages	16
Journal	Engineering Failure Analysis
Volume	175
Early online date	8 Apr 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2025.109564
Publication status	Published - 15 Jun 2025

Bibliographical note

Copyright:
© 2025 The Authors

Keywords

Composite
Electrodeposition
Nickel coatings
Rain erosion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Materials Science
General Engineering

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10.1016/j.engfailanal.2025.109564Licence: Creative Commons: Attribution (CC BY)

Cite this

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title = "Designing nickel coatings for water erosion performance: Optimisation of grain size and thickness",

abstract = "Metallic coatings are gaining interest as an alternative to classical polymeric layers for erosion damage prevention due to their extended durability and sustainability. However, their implementation requires a thorough understanding of protective potential and reliability. This study explores the use of brush-plated nickel coatings on carbon-fibre reinforced composites to enhance their performance against water erosion. A combination of experimental analysis and computational modelling explores the effect of different coating thickness and properties to withstand water droplet erosion damage. Findings reveal a minimum critical coating thickness around 40μm can significantly improve the erosion resistance.",

keywords = "Composite, Electrodeposition, Nickel coatings, Rain erosion",

author = "Gaddavalasa, \{Nithin Chandra\} and Arijit Lodh and Andrea Cini and Vinodhen Saaran and Ali Mehmanparast and Andrew Starr and Castelluccio, \{Gustavo M.\}",

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AU - Gaddavalasa, Nithin Chandra

AU - Lodh, Arijit

AU - Cini, Andrea

AU - Saaran, Vinodhen

AU - Mehmanparast, Ali

AU - Starr, Andrew

AU - Castelluccio, Gustavo M.

PY - 2025/6/15

Y1 - 2025/6/15

N2 - Metallic coatings are gaining interest as an alternative to classical polymeric layers for erosion damage prevention due to their extended durability and sustainability. However, their implementation requires a thorough understanding of protective potential and reliability. This study explores the use of brush-plated nickel coatings on carbon-fibre reinforced composites to enhance their performance against water erosion. A combination of experimental analysis and computational modelling explores the effect of different coating thickness and properties to withstand water droplet erosion damage. Findings reveal a minimum critical coating thickness around 40μm can significantly improve the erosion resistance.

AB - Metallic coatings are gaining interest as an alternative to classical polymeric layers for erosion damage prevention due to their extended durability and sustainability. However, their implementation requires a thorough understanding of protective potential and reliability. This study explores the use of brush-plated nickel coatings on carbon-fibre reinforced composites to enhance their performance against water erosion. A combination of experimental analysis and computational modelling explores the effect of different coating thickness and properties to withstand water droplet erosion damage. Findings reveal a minimum critical coating thickness around 40μm can significantly improve the erosion resistance.

KW - Composite

KW - Electrodeposition

KW - Nickel coatings

KW - Rain erosion

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105002397769

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SN - 1350-6307

VL - 175

JO - Engineering Failure Analysis

JF - Engineering Failure Analysis

M1 - 109564

ER -

Designing nickel coatings for water erosion performance: Optimisation of grain size and thickness

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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