CORROSION RESISTANCE OF DECORATIVE CHROMIUM FILMS OBTAINED FROM TRIVALENT CHROMIUM SOLUTIONS

In this work, the resistance to corrosion of chromium films obtained from trivalent chromium solutions of different compositions and the influence of solution compounds on the coatings electrochemical behavior and the microstructure were studied. The chromium coatings were obtained from trivalent solutions in a chloride-based bath with different complexing agents adding also sodium hypophosphite and aluminum chloride. UV-vis spectroscopy was carried out on all solutions before and after plating to observe changes in the chromium complexes chemical state due to the plating process. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) were performed to examine the coatings surface morphology and composition; respectively. The coulometric method was used for measuring coating thickness. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was done using 3% NaCl as electrolyte and using a three-electrode cell with a standard calomel electrode (SCE) as reference. Bright chromium films were obtained from all baths however, differences were observed concerning morphology, thickness and corrosion resistance depending on the composition of the forming solution.