Corrosion effects of plasma immersion ion implantation-enhanced Cr deposition on SAE 1070 carbon steel

► We suggest an alternative method for Cr deposition with high corrosion. ► PIII, glow discharge plasma and magnetron sputtering were used to deposit Cr films. ► Cr films showed higher corrosion resistance due to lower corrosion current density. ► Hydrophobic character of Cr films turned samples less susceptible to corrosion. ► Film and mixing layer thicknesses increased with the increase of GD power.