A New Method for Electroplating of Crack-Free Chromium Coatings

In this study, different amounts of MoS2 particles and an anionic surfactant were added to the conventional chromium electroplating bath in order to electrodeposite crack-free chromium coatings and the structure, morphology, tribology and corrosion behavior of the deposited coatings were investigated using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, pin on disk wear test method, dynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques, respectively. The results showed that the incorporation of MoS2 particle into the electrodeposited Cr coatings is impossible and no chromium coating can be electroplated from baths containing more than 5 g/L MoS2 particles. In addition, as the MoS2 concentration in the bath increases up to 1 g/L the corrosion and wear resistance of the deposited coatings increases. Moreover, those coatings that were electroplated from the baths containing more than 1 g/L exhibited less performance regarding their corrosion and wear behavior.