Ni-W/ZrO2 nanocomposite coatings were electrodeposited on steel substrates in a system with a rotating disk electrode (RDE). The effect of current density of the plating process on the chemical composition, microstructure and physicochemical properties of resulting composites was studied. Based on microstructural (morphology, phase composition, crystallite size), micromechanical (microhardness, Young's modulus), tribological (wear resistant, friction coefficient) and corrosion (corrosion potential, corrosion current density) properties, the optimal direct current (DC) density range for electrodeposition of homogeneous Ni-W/ZrO2 nanocomposites with enhanced functional properties was determined. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.