4/9/13

Nickel and chrome plating operations - High density of micro cracks of chrome layer

High density of micro cracks of chrome layer

The advantages of combination of high density of micro-cracks and multilayer chrome plating
Products / Nickel and chrome plating operations /

Micro-cracks in Hard Chrome

The number of "cracks" in a given distance affects the properties of chrome plating. Almost all electroplated hard chromium
deposits are cracked.
Cracking occurs during the plating cycle when internal stress exceeds the tensile strength of the chromium, which is hard
and brittle. The width, depth and population density of these micro-cracks varies widely and is influenced by the following: the
type of plating chemistry used (single-catalyst, mixed catalyst, proprietary), chromic acid concentration, type and
concentration of catalyst, chromium-to-catalyst ratio, plating current-density, bath temperature, concentration of bath
impurities (iron, copper, zinc, nickel, trivalent chromium, etc.) chromium deposit thickness surface condition of substrate.
If the conditions during plating cause the cracks to be coarse in nature, they are often referred to as macro-cracks.

Cross Section at 400 magnification

Standard chrome deposit. Large deep cracks extend down to base metal serve as pathways for
corrosion.

Usually, chromium with this type of microstructure exhibits less desirable properties in service. It should be noted that
macro-cracking can occur in chromium deposited over any type of substrate, not just those that are already stressed in
tensile.
Generally speaking, a structure of high density of micro-cracks which is comprised of a high population density of narrow,
shallow cracks is desirable, because the deposit tends to have a lower stress, higher lubricity, good wear resistance and
better corrosion resistance.

Cross Section at 400 magnification

Standard chrome deposit. The greater number and smaller sized micro-cracks provide better lubricity
and corrosion resistance. But the corrosion can still arrive at b ase material.

Multilayer chrome plating is the solution at this problem

Our chrome plating process is a combination of these two solutions (high density of micro cracks and
multilayer chroming), to obtain at end a layer of chromium that may prevent corrosion of base steel.

Multilayer chrome deposit

The great number of micro cracks and their non-correspondence provide increased protection to the
corrosion. The corrosion don't arrives at base steel.
Because the correspondence probability of micro cracks of each chrome layer tends to zero, the multilayer process offers increased protection from corrosion and lower wear, with a three-layer structure
with high density of micro cracks. The final result, with a total layer thickness of 60m and more,
assures superior corrosion protection and is less affected by thermal stress and wear.

www.nimet.ro/en/nickel-and-chrome-plating/high-density-of-micro-cracks-of-chrome-layer.html

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