Effect of hard chrome plating parameters on the wear resistance of low carbon steel

Abstract Electrolytic hard chrome plating is applied to improve the surface properties of metals and add a decorative look. In this study, hard chrome plating was applied to low carbon steel in various parameters by means of an electrolytic method. The plating and metal surface of the specimen were analysed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Following SEM analyses, microhardness measurements from the plating to the base metal in the samples were conducted at 100 g. The wear resistance in the plated samples was determined by the pin-on-disc method. Moreover, the surface morphology was examined by SEM and optic profilometer subsequent to the wear experiment. The results showed that the hard chrome plating, which was applied at 0.4 A × m -2 current density, 100 mm anode-cathode distance and 60 °C bath temperature, yielded the highest wear resistance and hardness.