Evaluation of sputtering chromium coating as a electroplating substitute

Abstract

The high corrosion resistance of decorative hexavalent chromium coating, obtained thru electroplating processes, is well known for its wide usage and elevated efficiency. This coating has been used all throughout furniture and shoe’s industries, obtained via electrodeposition in Zamac pieces. However, the galvanic process presents a high pollution degree, due to the amount of generated waste, and the toxicity of the chemicals used. It is well known the hexavalent chromium is a carcinogenic agent, and how its residues are dangerous and hard treat properly. Because of this, the development of new technologies is aiming towards ecofriendly, economically viable, with a high corrosion resistance. The alternate technology that might be heading in this direction is PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition), with the sputtering process. In this sense, this paper’s main objective is to evaluate and compare the development of varnished sputtering applied chromium coatings, in relation to the performance of electrodeposited chromium coatings. For such, they were applied in Zamac and morphologically, electrochemically, and physically-chemically characterized. The results showed that the sputtering deposited chromium coatings presented similar characteristics to the conventional coating method, so it might be a suitable and clean alternative in those regards.