Experimental Study of Nickel Electroplating and CuO Nanocoolant on Corrosion Rate and Hardness of ASTM A36 Steel

International Journal of Mechanical Engineering

© 2026 by SSRG - IJME Journal

Volume 13 Issue 3

Year of Publication : 2026

Authors : Firda Herlina, Yuli Panca Asmara, Januar Parlaungan Siregar, Ahmad Janan Febrianto, Syamsul Maarif, Andi Ibrahim Soumi, Anhar Khalid, Sugiman

10.14445/23488360/IJME-V13I3P103

How to Cite?

Firda Herlina, Yuli Panca Asmara, Januar Parlaungan Siregar, Ahmad Janan Febrianto, Syamsul Maarif, Andi Ibrahim Soumi, Anhar Khalid, Sugiman, "Experimental Study of Nickel Electroplating and CuO Nanocoolant on Corrosion Rate and Hardness of ASTM A36 Steel," SSRG International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 13,  no. 3, pp. 34-43, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V13I3P103

Abstract:

ASTM A36 carbon steel is widely used as an alternative type of steel for the manufacturing and construction industry, but the poor corrosion resistance and relatively low surface hardness of the steel result in low performance in long-term operation. Therefore, manufacturing innovation is required to obtain high coating performance. In this article, ASTM A36 steel for material is obtained, in the method of enhancing surface properties with nickel electroplating and CuO nanocoolant diffusion at 0.25%, 0.5%, and 0.7% concentrations. Surface hardness was the established method of Vickers hardness testing, while the corrosion behavior of the ASTM A36 was measured with weight-loss immersion tests in HNO₃, H₂SO₄, and HCl solutions. The coating morphology and elemental distribution are explored by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Quantitatively, the uniformity of coatings was evaluated by looking at the mean, standard deviation, and CV of elemental composition. The results show that there are significant improvements in surface performance with the ratio of CuO concentration. Hardness increased by ca 9%; however, the highest hardness was recorded at 0.7% CuO. Corrosion test with acidic environment indicated a decrease in weight loss because the corrosion rate of 0.25–0.5% was reduced, and more effective protection can be obtained by 0.7% CuO. The EDX results showed that the coating containing 0.7% CuO had a greater elemental homogeneity, with CV <50%, and coatings containing low CuO had a significant inhomogeneity. SEM data confirmed that the 0.7% CuO coating created a deep, uniformly dense, and uninterrupted layer with a low level of porosity and agglomeration of the nanoparticles, which contributed to enhanced corrosion resistance. Ni–CuO coatings showed better corrosion resistance and microstructural uniformity due to homogeneous nanoparticle dispersion, outperforming conventional and reported coatings.

Keywords:

ASTM A36 steel, Nickel electroplating, CuO nanoparticles, Corrosion behavior, Surface hardness, Microstructural analysis.

References:

[1] ASTM A36/A36M-19: Standard Specification for Carbon Structural Steel, ASTM International, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[2] ASM International, Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys, ASM Handbook Committee, 1990.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[3] George E. Totten, Steel Heat Treatment Handbook, 2006.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[4] William D. Callister, and David G. Rethwisch, Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction, 10th ed., Wiley, pp. 1-944, 2020.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[5] J. R. Davis, Metals Handbook Desk Edition, 2nd ed., ASM International, 1998.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[6] Balázs Illés et al., “Effects of CuO Nanoparticles on SAC Composite Solder Joints: Microstructural and DFT Study,” Journal of Materials Research and Technology, vol. 32, pp. 609-620, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[7] Rui Wang et al., “Study of the Microstructure and Corrosion Properties of a Ni-Based Alloy Coating Deposited onto the Surface of Ductile Cast Iron Using High-Speed Laser Cladding,” Materials, vol. 15, no. 5, pp. 1-14, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[8] Dana H. Abdeen et al., “A Review on the Corrosion Behaviour of Nanocoatings on Metallic Substrates,” Materials, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 1-42, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[9] Shama Rehman, A. Mumtaz, and S. K. Hasanain, “Size Effects on the Magnetic and Optical Properties of CuO Nanoparticles,” Journal of Nanoparticle Research, vol. 13, pp. 2497-2507, 2011.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[10] Sifan Tan et al., “Study on Electrochemical Corrosion Behavior and Damage Repair Performance of Ni-La Composite Microalloyed Sn-Ag-Cu Solder Alloys at High Strain Rates,” Electrochimica Acta, vol. 543, 2025.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[11] Mai Van Phuoc, and Le Thi Phuong Thao, “Effect of CeO2 and CuO Oxide Nanoparticles on the Nickel Electroplating in Sulfate Solution,” Journal of Military Science and Technology, vol. 107, no. 107, pp. 51-57, 2025.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[12] S. Ayesha Barsanaa, A. Sultan Nasar, and M.J. Umapathy, “Enhanced Corrosion Resistance of Zinc Phosphate Coatings on Mild Steel through Incorporation of Nanocrystalline CeO2 and CeO2–CuO Nanocomposite,” RSC Advances, vol. 15, pp. 20916-20934, 2025.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[13] Kamelia Kamburova et al., “Hybrid Zinc Coating with CuO Nanocontainers Containing Corrosion Inhibitor for Combined Protection of Mild Steel from Corrosion and Biofouling,” Coatings, vol. 12, no. 9, pp. 1-16, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[14] Khazaal Hameed Khazaal, Omar A. Alwash, and Abbas Mezaal Karafe, “Environmentally Sustainable Alkyd-Based SiO₂–CuO Nanocoatings for Industrial Corrosion Protection: Synergistic, Structural, and Electrochemical Evaluation,” Annales de Chimie - Science des Matériaux, vol. 49, no. 2, pp. 163-175.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[15] Sachin Dua et al., “Conjugated Polymer-based Composites for Anti-Corrosion Applications,” Progress in Organic Coatings, vol. 188, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[16] Dmitry V. Dzhurinskiy et al., “Surface Modification of Aluminum 6061-O Alloy by Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation to Improve Corrosion Resistance Properties,” Coatings, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 1-13, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[17] Pengxiang Lv et al., “Enhancement of Antimicrobial Properties of Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation Coatings on Aluminum Alloy Surfaces with CuO Nanoparticles,” Ceramics International, vol. 50, no. 24, pp. 55449-55460, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[18] Amal M. Abdel-karim et al., “Ag-CuO/epoxy Hybrid Nanocomposites as Anti-corrosive Coating and Self-cleaning on Copper Substrate,” Scientific Reports, vol. 13, pp. 1-14, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[19] Wang Heying et al., “Construction and Corrosion Resistance of Micro-arc Oxidation/CuO Nanoparticles/Polyurethane Composite Coatings on Magnesium Surface,” Surface Technology, vol. 54, no. 15, pp. 108-119, 2025.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[20] Haifeng Tan et al., “Effect of Current Density on the Corrosion Resistance and Photocatalytic Properties of Cu-Ni-Zn₀.₉₆Ni₀.₀₂Cu₀.₀₂O Nanocomposite Coatings,” Materials, vol. 16, vol. 14, pp. 1-14, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[21] ASTM G1: Standard Practice for Preparing, Cleaning, and Evaluating Corrosion Test Specimens, pp. 1-18, 2025.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[22] ASTM G31–12A: Standard Guide for Laboratory Immersion Corrosion Testing of Metals, ASTM International, 2012.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[23] ASTM E92–17: Standard Test Methods for Vickers Hardness and Knoop Hardness of Metallic Materials, ASTM International, 2017.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[24] Raymond H. Myers, Douglas C. Montgomery, and Christine M. Anderson-Cook, Response Surface Methodology: Process and Product Optimization using Designed Experiments, Wiley, pp. 1-856, 2016.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[25] George E.P. Box, J. Stuart Hunter, and William G. Hunter, Statistics for Experimenters: Design, Innovation, and Discovery, 2nd ed., John Wiley & Sons, pp. 1-672, 2005.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[26] Ryszard Rokicki et al., “Towards a Better Corrosion Resistance and Biocompatibility Improvement of Nitinol Medical Devices,” Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, vol. 24, pp. 1634-1640, 2015.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[27] Robert Mašovic et al., “Investigation of Effect of Surface Modification by Electropolishing on Tribological Behaviour of Worm Gear Pairs,” Lubricants, vol. 12, no. 12, pp. 1-18, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[28] Feroze Nazneen et al., “Electropolishing of Medical-Grade Stainless Steel in Preparation for Surface Nano-Texturing,” Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry, vol. 16, pp. 1389-1397, 2012.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[29] Kai Feng et al., “Electropolishing of 316L Stainless Steel Small-Diameter Tubes: Reduced Surface Roughness and Enhanced Corrosion Resistance,” Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, vol. 34, pp. 13697-13709, 2025.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[30] R. B. Rebak, Uhlig's Corrosion Handbook, 3rd ed., Wiley, 2011.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[31] Benu Chatterjee, “Science and Industry of Electropolishing,” Galvanotechnik, pp. 77-93, 2015.
[Google Scholar]
[32] E. Arulkumar, S. Thanikaikarasan, and Nega Tesfie, “Influence of Deposition Parameters for Cu2O and CuO Thin Films by Electrodeposition Technique: A Short Review,” Journal of Nanomaterials, vol. 2023, pp. 1-19, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[33]m Shaohua Wang et al., “Electrodeposition Mechanism and Characterization of Ni-Cu Alloy Coatings from a Eutectic-based Ionic Liquid,” Applied Surface Science, vol. 288, pp. 530-536, 2014.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[34] R. Winston Revie, and Herbert H. Uhlig, Corrosion and Corrosion Control: An Introduction to Corrosion Science and Engineering, Wiley, 2008.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[35] T. Hryniewicz, K. Rokosz, and R. Rokicki, “Electrochemical and XPS Studies of AISI 316L Stainless Steel after Electropolishing in a Magnetic Field,” Corrosion Science, vol. 50, no. 9, pp. 2676-2681, 2008.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[36] Ojo S.I. Fayomi et al., “Development and Evaluation of Modified ZnCr-Shell Particulates Composite Coatings: Corrosion, Structural, and Microhardness Properties, Hybrid Advances, vol. 11, pp. 1-8, 2025.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[37] Delstar Metal Finishing, Inc. (Houston, Tex.), Electropolishing: A User's Guide to Applications, Quality Standards and Specifications, Delstar, 2003.
[Publisher Link]
[38] Pierre R. Roberge, Corrosion Engineering, McGraw-Hill, 2008.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[39] Mei Wen, and Karel Dušek, Protective Coatings: Film Formation and properties, 1st ed., Springer Cham, 2017.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[40] Shahariar Chowdhury et al., “Structural and Morphological Properties of Aluminum-Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanomaterials,” Materials Science and Technology, 2025.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]