Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/245976

Title

Plasma processing for surface modification of trivalent chromium as alternative to hexavalent chromium layer

Author(s)

Kwon, Sik-Choi;  Lee, Hak-Jun;  Kim, Jong-Kuk;  Byon, Eungsun;  Collins, George;  Short, Ken

Abstract

Plasma source ion implantation (PSII) treatment was undertaken to improve the mechanical properties of electrodeposited trivalent chromium layers. Nitrogen ions were implanted, with energies of - 15 to - 25 keV and doses of 1, 5 and 10 x 10^17 atoms cm^-2, to modify the surface properties of Cr plating layer. The surface properties of the films were characterized by XRD, SEM, ruby-ball on disk type tribometer and nanoindenter. Polycrystalline CrN films with (200), (220) and (222) orientations were preferentially grown and numbers of surface cracks were increased by N+-PSII onto trivalent chromium layers. The surface hardness of the Cr3+ plating layer was increased from 16 to 25 GPa by N+-PSII. Severe wear and higher friction was observed on N+-PSII treated trivalent Cr plating. It seemed that the wear debris from hardened and cracked surface of the N+-PSII treated specimen prompted abrasive wear in the wear test. Roughness of the Cr3+ plating layers was smoothed with increasing implantation doses.

Publication type

Journal article

Source

Surface and Coatings Technology, Vol. 201, no. 15 (Apr 2007), pp. 6601-6605

Publication year

2007

FOR Code(s)

0204 Condensed Matter Physics;  0306 Physical Chemistry (Incl. Structural);  0912 Materials Engineering

Keyword(s)

Abrasion;  Characterization;  Chromium;  Cracks;  Crystal orientation;  Electrodeposition;  Hardness;  Hexavalent chromium layer;  Ion implantation;  Mechanical properties;  Nitrogen ion implantation;  Plasma source ion implantation;  Plasma sources;  Scanning electron microscopy;  Surface cracks;  Surface hardness;  Surface properties;  Surface treatment;  Trivalent chromium;  X ray diffraction analysis

Publisher

Elsevier

ISSN

0257-8972

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2006.09.085

Copyright

Copyright © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Peer reviewed