The present status of black chromium plating

Black coatings, and particularly black chromium coatings, have many applications in various fields, e.g. as non-reflecting coatings, decorative coatings and solar-selective coatings. Most of the studies on black chromium plating that have been reported to date are reviewed in this paper. Both the bath compositions and the process details for obtaining various black chromium finishes are given. The nature of the black chromium deposit is discussed with particular reference to its thermal, optical, structural and physical properties. The applications of black chromium coatings are indicated.