Properties of nanocrystalline Cr coatings prepared by cathode plasma electrolytic deposition from trivalent chromium electrolyte

Pure Cr coatings were prepared directly from trivalent chromium sulfate electrolyte by cathode plasma electrolytic deposition (CPED). Composition and microstructure of the coatings were investigated by EDS, XRD, SEM and TEM. The deposited Cr coatings are crack-free with the thickness up to approximately 30 μm, and exhibit nanocrystalline structure, high hardness, excellent adhesion and corrosion resistance with the stainless steels. The quality of Cr coatings prepared by CPED is improved significantly compared with that prepared by traditional chromium electroplating. It indicates that cathode plasma electrolytic deposition is an effective way to prepare high quality Cr coatings.