Mechanical property of trivalent chromium processed under plasma ion

The investigation was undertaken by nitrogen plasma source ion implantation and pulsed plasma nitriding process to develop the novel process as an alternative to hexavalent chromium electroplating. The surface modification of the chromium electrodeposited from trivalent bath was conducted and the comparison of the surface property with hexavalent chromium electrodeposited was made in view of hardness. The surface hardening was achieved by both of processes. Characterization of the surfaces indicated the formation of hard compound layer of chromium-nitride. The improvements in hardness as a result of nitrogen plasma would be compared with interpolated trends from data reported. The possibility of the application of the plasma-added trivalent chromium process could be reviewed as one of hexavalent chromium replacement.