In-situ analysis of inner crack instability of electro-deposited trivalent chromium layers using small angle neutron scattering

Inner crack behavior of electro-deposited trivalent chromium was analyzed in-situ by small angle neutron scattering to study the abrasive heating effect on neutral salt fog spray life. The trivalent chromium was prepared by different current wave forms, namely, direct and pulse current-plating with a modified chromium chloride bath. The trivalent chromium layer has columnar grains in which small chromium clusters and inner cracks are present. Pulse current plated trivalent chromium has a longer neutral salt fog spray life than direct current plated trivalent chromium. As surface temperature increases to 80 °C, inner cracks of the trivalent chromium layer formed by direct current plating tend to have a fractal shape by opening crack tips, whereas those of the chromium layer formed by pulse current plating are relatively stable. The inner crack with a fractal shape is related to an abrupt reduction of the neutral salt fog spray life of the trivalent chromium.