CHROMIUM PLATING

Metallic chromium always form a passive

oxide coating on its surface and the film of
chromium oxide is very thin and invisible
and the same is not attacked by acids or
alkalies. With the help of this properties
chromium plating on steel, Ni, Brass, Cu and
other metals are applied has very important
role in industrial and decorative plating.
Hexavalent chromium in the form Acid H2CrO4
when dissolved in water and electrolysed with
little (100 : 1) H2SO4 in solution it break up and
deposit Cr. On Cathodes.
H2CrO4 - Cr + 202
2 H2CrO4 - 2 Cr + 2 H2O + O2
3 H2CrO4 - Cr2O3+ 3 H2O + 3 O2 +Cr.
• Composition of bath

• H2CrO4 - 200 - 250 gms/litre

• H2SO4 - 2- 2.5 gms/litre

• Temperature of bath 48 – 60 optimum 57 .

• Current density 4 – 6 volts DC with 2 – 2.5 amps/sq.

inch.
• For chromium plating an alloy Sn-LEAD IS USED
AS Anodes. The lead Anodes serves two purpose in
that they not only function as the positive electrode
but also help to maintain the solution in
satisfactorily balanced condition by oxidizing the
Cr2O3 to Hexavalent CrO3.
• Cr2O3 + 3 O2 → 2 CrO3
• To ensure operation of the chromium plating
solution the Anode must be maintained in an
efficient condition with good contact between the
Anode hooks and the Anode. Area of Anode should
be about 20 % more then the area of the normal
plating load. The difficulties arised in the internal
plating of tubular product plating inside Rifles
Barrels where the anode area is less then the cathode
area, the formation of Cr2O3 is a problem which is
regularly removed by running Dummy, the Anode
area is kept very high and with current density the
bath is treated for 10 – 12 hours a day which helps
the re-oxidation of Cr2O3. Temperature is kept 70 C
around.
 OPERATIONS FOLLOWED IN HARD
CHROME PLATING PLANT.
ELECTRO POLISHING

Cleaning:

Washing in ‘Alternative Eco-friendly’ chemical,

brushing and cleaning by pull through chord.

 FIXTURE
Fixture
Anode :

• SS wire of Ф2.0 ± 0.02 mm is used.

 Fixing of Barrel on Fixture

Barrels are mounted on fixtures.

 Mounting on Flight Bars:

The barrels thus fixed onto the fixtures are

clamped on the clamping devices mounted on

the flight bars.

 Anodic Cleaning

In Gindox – 114 (NaOH soln., 250gms/litre)

at 50 + 5 °C temp.,
time: 10 min.,
current – 15 amps. /barrel.

Washing

In cold running water twice.

 Electro polishing:

In a bath of 90 % electro brightening compound

& 10 % Chromic acid by wt.
Temperature - 75 + 5°C,
Time: 02 min.,
Current – 25 amps. /barrel.
 Washing
In hot water 50 + 5°C for 30 Sec.

Chromium Passivation

In Na- dichromate soln. at temp 60°C for 60sec.

 Cleaning:

In water with Brush & pull through chord.

Oiling:

To prevent corrosion.
 Hard Chromium Plating

Cleaning

Washing in ‘Alternative Eco-friendly’ chemical,

brushing and cleaning by pull through chord.

 Segregation:

Barrels are segregated as per bore size,

Ф 5.59, Ф 5.60, Ф 5.61, Ф 5.62, Ф 5.63 mm

For setting of plating time.

• Fixture (Anode) Maintenance: MS anode wire of
Ф2.0 ± 0.02 mm is cleaned with
‘Alternative Eco-friendly chemical’ and rubbed gently
with emery cloth and clean with jute
before fixing onto fixtures.
• Fixing of Barrel on Fixture.
• Mounting on Flight Bars: The barrels thus fixed onto
the fixtures are clamped on the clamping
devices mounted on the flight bars.
• Anodic Cleaning: In Gindox – 114 (NaOH soln.,
250gms/litre) at 50 + 5 °C temp., time: 10- 15
min., current – 15 amp. /barrel.
• Washing: In running water twice for 60 sec.
• Neutralization: In 1 % Sulphuric acid for 60
sec.
• Washing: In De-mineralized water for 30 sec.
• Reverse Etching: In Chromic acid & Sulphuric
acid soln. (Ratio: Chromic acid: Sulphuric acid
=100: 1 to 75: 1), temp.: 52°C + 2°C, time –
03 min., current – 25 to 28 amp /barrel.
• Chromium Plating: In a bath of Chromic acid &
Sulphuric acid soln. (100: 1to 75: 1). temp.: 56
+ 2°C, current – 26 to 30 amp /barrel, time –
80 to 110 min. depending upon barrel bore
size.
• Washing: With DM water in drag out bath at
room temperature for 30 sec.
• Chrome Neutralization: 15 sec. with air agitation
in chrome kill soln. (100 gms NaHSO3/litre).
• Washing: In normal water and in hot water
at 50 + 5°C.
• Gauging: 5.51mm to 5.56 mm
• Dehydrogenation: At 190°C + 10°C for 16
hrs.
• Bore view inspection by QC (Barrel).
• Passed barrel forwarded to Barrel section
for lapping
• Purpose of Plating :-

• To Increase Hardness.
• To resist from corrosion that increase life of
barrel
• To resist from deformation due to evolution
of heat.
• To increase hardness :-
• Hardness of chromium = < 900 HV to 1080 HV
• It is needed to withstand the high momentum of
discharge of cartridge. To increase wear
resistance.
• To resist from Corrosion.
• It is high corrosion resistance. It saves the base
material of the barrel from corrosion due to its
electro negativity property it resists the barrel
material and decays itself.
 To resistance from deformation
• During firing high amount of heat is
produced inside the barrel. Heat generated
is so high that it may deform the barrel.
Thickness of barrel in some places of barrel
is very low (even below 3.5 mm).
Chromium has high heat resistance
property. To resist the evolution of heat
Chromium Plating is done inside the barrel.