Wear and corrosion of Co-Cr coatings electrodeposited from a trivalent chromium solution: Effect of heat treatment temperature

Electrodeposition from a trivalent chromium bath was employed to obtain the cobalt‑chromium coatings with a thickness of ~25 μm. The effect of heat treatment temperature on characteristics, mechanical properties, and electrochemical behavior of the coatings, were examined. Heat treatment was performed in a wide range of temperatures (200–800 °C). Heat-treating below 400 °C increased the crystallinity of alloy coatings and had a negligible effect on nodular and cracked morphology. Raising the heat-treating temperature changed the X-ray diffraction patterns by thickening the surface oxide films, which consisted of different oxides (e.g., cobalt chromite spinel). The surface nodules were faded out above 700 °C. The heat-treating below 300 °C decreased the hardness and wear resistance of Co-Cr electrodeposits. The 400 °C heat-treated sample had the highest hardness of ~1000 HV, and the best tribological behavior. The weight loss and coefficient of friction of this sample were 24 and ~2 times smaller than the as-deposited coating. The hardness and wear resistance dropped again with further raising the heat-treating temperature. While detachment of coating during sliding occurred at low-temperature heat-treated samples, the abrasion was the main mechanism of material loss at those heat-treated at higher temperatures. According to the corrosion results, the optimum heat-treating temperature that the highest corrosion resistance could be achieved was 300–500 °C. The corrosion current density of 400 °C heat-treated coating was ~3.7 times smaller than the as-deposited Co-Cr film. •The relatively thick Co-Cr coatings were produced from a trivalent chromium bath.•Effect of heat treatment on Co-Cr films' characteristics and properties was studied.•Different types of oxides and morphologies were observed at various temperatures.•The 400 °C heat-treated sample showed the highest hardness and wear resistance.•Optimum heat treatment temperatures for the best corrosion resistance was 300–500 °C.