Hard Chromium: Microcrack Formation and Sliding Wear

SUMMARY

Video recordings of the formation of microcracks during chromium electrodeposition show microcracking is accompanied by copious evolution of hydrogen gas. Microcrack density (the number of cracks per unit area) and sliding wear resistance are correlated for three different chromium plating chemistries. The wear performance of lubricated pin against vee block and piston ring against cylinder liner is reported. Theories have been developed to explain why sliding wear resistance increases as microcrack density increases.