The effect of process parameters on thickness and brightness of chromium plating

In many instances, the properties of the materials could be insufficient to meet some of the functional demands especially those, which arise from the environmental conditions. It could be a very corrosive atmosphere or an excessive wear condition. As the high quality materials may turn out to be too costly, designers should seek a solution, which will either protect the base material against hostile environment or improve properties of base material only at the surface. Chromium plating process is the most effective way of solving all of these problems. The aim of this study is, defining the process parameters of the chromium plating process, effects of these parameters on brightness and thickness of the chromium plating and defining the optimum process parameters which will provide the best thickness and brightness. During this study all material preparation and preliminary works before chromium plating process carried out in the plating workshop of Medikar Co. Inc. and chromium plating process done in the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory of Çukurova University. Keywords: Hard and Bright Chromium, Corrosion, Electroplating, Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Plating Thickness and Plating Brightness.