The Structure of the Chromium Coatings Modified by the Dispersed Particles
E. G. Vinokurov*, A. M. Arsenkin**, K. V. Grigorovich** , and V. V. Bondar’***
* Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology, Miusskaya pl. 9, Moscow, 115478 Russia
** Baikov Institute of Metallurgy and Material Sciences, Russian Academy of Sciences,
Leninskii pr. 49, Moscow, 117334 Russia
*** All-Russia Institute of Scientific and Technical Information, Russian Academy of Sciences,
Baltiiskaya ul. 14, Moscow, Russia
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Received July 12, 2004
Abstract—The microhardness and structure of composite chromium coatings modified by dispersed CeO2 and ultradispersed diamond (UDD), as well as the granulometric UDD distribution (both in the coatings and the bath) were investigated. The presence of the particles in the coatings reduced the number of microcracks and enhanced the microhardness. Passing from the chromium to the composite coatings makes the microhardness measured on the microsections and the specimen surface converge. Despite the uniform distribution of the particles in the coatings, nonuniform distribution of their sizes is satisfactorily described by a lognormal distribu-tion function. A selective deposition of nano-size particles (with the most probable radius of UDD particles of 204 nm) was found out, although dynamic aggregates found in the solution have the most probable radius of 4530 nm. This is possibly associated with their disaggregation near the electrode and the inclusion of the finer particles into the coating.