Nodular nickel boron coating

Abstract

The invention is directed to a nodular nickel boron coating having lubricating properties. Nodular and columnar boron coatings made by the above methods disclosed in the above patents have a low coefficient of friction. The above process results in a columnar structure with nodules in the surface layer. Nodules can be produced in other nickel coatings by blasting the surface with hard particles to form the nodules. Using blasting to form the nodules produces an inferior coating in contrast to the electroless nickel boron coatings having a columnar structure.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A combination of components in a mating relationship wherein a mating surface is coated with a nodular nickel coating.  
     
     
         2 . A combination of components according to  claim 1  wherein the nodular nickel coating is an electroless deposited nickel boron coating.  
     
     
         3 . A combination of components according to  claim 2  wherein the nickel coating has a dry lubricant overcoat.  
     
     
         4 . A combination of components according to  claim 3  wherein the dry lubricant is selected from the group consisting of tungsten disulfide and molybdenum disulfide.  
     
     
         5 . A nodular nickel coating having a dry lubricant overcoat.  
     
     
         6 . A nodular nickel coating according to  claim 5  wherein the nodular nickel coating is an electroless deposited nickel boron coating.  
     
     
         7 . A nodular nickel coating according to  claim 6  wherein the dry lubricant is selected from the group consisting of tungsten disulfide and molybdenum disulfide.  
     
     
         8 . A nodular nickel coating according to  claim 7  wherein the dry lubricant is a mixture of tungsten disulfide and molybdenum disulfide in a ration of 20:80 or 80:20 by percent volume by weight  
     
     
         9 . A nodular nickel coating according to  claim 8  wherein the dry lubricant is a mixture of tungsten disulfide and molybdenum disulfide in a ratio of 50:50 by percent.  
     
     
         10 . A process of using ta combination of components in a mating relationship having a mating surface is coated with a nodular nickel coating in an environment requiring a wet lubricant.  
     
     
         11 . A process according to  claim 10  wherein said coating satisfies the need for a wet lubricant,  
     
     
         12 . A process according to claim  21  wherein a dry lubricant is applied over the nickel boron coating.  
     
     
         13 . A metal article according to  claim 6  wherein a lubricant particle is co-deposited in the nickel boron coating.