Research trends in rare-earth-modified electroless Ni–P coatings for corrosion protection of aerospace aluminum alloys: a bibliometric analysis

• R. Kusumastuti^1,2, N. Noeraida³, G. Priyotomo², A.A. Waskita⁴, S. Musabikha², A.D.H. Setyawan², Sriyono⁵, Johny W. Soedarsono¹ and Rini Riastuti¹

¹ Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java, Indonesia
² Research Center for Metallurgy, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), KST B.J. Habibie, South Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia
³ Directorate of Repository, Multimedia and Scientific Publication, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Central Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
⁴ Research Center for Data and Information Sciences, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), KST Samaun Samadikun, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
⁵ Research Center for Nuclear Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), KST B.J. Habibie, South Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia

Abstract: Nickel–phosphorus (Ni–P) electroless coatings are widely applied to enhance the corrosion and wear resistance of lightweight aluminum alloys used in aerospace structures. However, the long-term reliability of these coatings remains limited by microstructural instability and localized corrosion processes under aggressive service environments. The incorporation of rare-earth elements (REs) has emerged as a promising strategy for improving the protective performance of Ni–P coatings through passive film stabilization, defect suppression, and enhanced tribocorrosion resistance. In this work, a bibliometric and critical literature review of 204 Scopus-indexed publications from 2016 to 2025 was conducted to evaluate the scientific development of rare-earth-modified electroless Ni–P coatings. Scientometric mapping combined with a materials-oriented analysis was used to identify the main research directions and technological trends in this field. Four interconnected research themes were identified, including deposition chemistry, corrosion protection mechanisms, composite reinforcement strategies, and aerospace-oriented applications. The literature analysis indicates that rare-earth additives, particularly cerium and lanthanum compounds, promote microstructural refinement, stabilize the amorphous Ni–P matrix, and improve corrosion resistance through oxide- or phosphate-based defect sealing mechanisms. Despite these advances, systematic validation under representative aerospace conditions, including chloride exposure, thermal cycling, and long-term environmental testing, remains limited. The results highlight rare-earth-modified Ni–P coatings as an emerging strategy for improving the corrosion protection of aerospace aluminum alloys and provide a research framework for the development of advanced multifunctional protective coatings for next-generation lightweight structures.

Keywords: electroless Ni–P coatings, rare-earth modification, aluminum alloys, corrosion protection, surface coatings, aerospace materials

Int. J. Corros. Scale Inhib., 2026, 15, no. 3, 322-350
doi: 10.17675/2305-6894-2026-15-3-14

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