Effect of Ligand-Complex Interactions on the Electrodeposition of Mixed Chromium Metal-Carbide-Oxides from Trivalent Chromium Electrolytes

Electrolytic chromium coated steel (ECCS) is packaging steel coated with a thin layer of chromium with an outer layer of chromium oxide. This coating system provides corrosion protection in addition to good adhesion properties due the outer oxide layer. The coating for ECCS is deposited via a hexavalent chromium electrolyte which has been found to be an environmental and health hazard and is therefore subject to restrictions under REACH legislation. A new coating process based on trivalent chromium chemistry has therefore been developed. According to prior studies, coatings comparable in terms of corrosion resistance to those achieved with the traditional Cr(VI)-based process have been produced with this process [1]–[4]. However, at present there is limited understanding of the mechanism and kinetics of electrodeposition from trivalent chromium based electrolytes. This knowledge is key to optimize the process design for industrial plating lines. In the present study, we investigate the effect of the chemistry of the Cr(III) complex – as determined by the relative concentration of the formate complexing agent and temperature – on the electrodeposition of mixed chromium metal-carbide-oxide coatings on low carbon steel in a rotating cylinder electrode (RCE) setup. In this study, low carbon steel samples are electroplated in an aqueous Cr(III) based electrolyte bath with a deposition time of 0.8 s with applied current densities ranging from 20 to 90 A dm -2 . The pH of the electrolyte is maintained at 2.6. A rotation speed of 776 RPM is used. SEM and XPS analysis is also performed to determine the effect of the above parameters on the microstructure and composition of the deposits. The amount of Cr deposited is determined using XRF measurements. Relative chromium metal, oxide and carbide contents are determined via XPS analysis. UV-Vis spectra of each of the electrolytes are also measured. Optical surface analysis shows that of the three regimes distinguishable as a function of current density [2], homogeneous, bright coatings are deposited in regime II (Figure 1). The current range over which acceptable coatings are deposited is significantly wider with higher relative ligand concentrations. Lower applied currents are required with lower bath temperatures. Increasing the chromium ion concentration (at a fixed relative ligand concentration) results in increased Cr metal deposition and an associated decrease in the carbide content of the coating. At higher bath temperatures, carbide formation is favoured. Results also indicate a threshold ligand-to-complex ratio at ~2.0 [HCOO - ]/[Cr 3+ ] above which a bright, homogeneous coating is deposited. This threshold corresponds with UV/Vis results which indicate the formation of a new complex species in the electrolyte at that ratio (Figure 2). Figure 1