Statistical optimization of process parameters to obtain maximum thickness and brightness in chromium plating

Chromium plating process is the most effective way of protecting the base material against hostile environment or improving surface properties of base material. However, in electroplating industry, electro-platers are faced with many problems and undesirable results on chromium plated materials. Problems such as matt deposition, milky white chromium deposition, rough or sandy chromium deposition, insufficient thickness and hardness are the most common problems faced in the electroplating industry. In this work, an experimental setup for chromium plating process has been constructed and MS58 brass materials have been chromium plated under different process conditions to study their effects on the thickness and brightness of chromium layers. The experimental results are analyzed and optimized based on central composite design of response surface methodology. This paper presents the optimum chromium plating conditions which produce the possible thickest and brightest coatings and detailed information about the interaction between process parameters.