Analyses of chromium deposit as criteria for the selection of trivalent chromium plating baths

Abstract

In this report, chromium was deposited from a trivalent chromium plating bath with different groups of complexing agents: amino acids, carboxylic acids and thio salts. All plated samples were visually examined and the best were analyzed by acanning electron microscopy, X ray spectroscopy and wavelength dispersive X ray spectroscopy. It is shown that the textures of the coatings differ greatly between hexavalent and trivalent chromium plating baths. Analyses of chromium deposits can be used as criteria for the selection of trivalent chromium plating baths.