the wear resistance of cr-c-al2o3 composite deposits prepared on a cu substrate using cr3+-based plating baths

Cr-C-Al2O3 deposits with different Al2O3 concentrations were successfully prepared on a Cu substrate using Cr3+-based electroplating baths. The microstructures of the Cr-C-Al2O3 deposits were examined using optical, scanning and transmission electron microscopes. The hardness values, the corrosion and wear resistance of the Cr-C and Cr-C-Al2O3 deposited specimens were evaluated. Based on the experimental results, the hardness values of the Cr-C-Al2O3 deposits increased with increasing Al2O3 concentration in the electroplating bath. According to our microstructure study, Al2O3 nanoparticles are uniformly distributed within the Cr-C deposits after electroplating in a Cr3+-based plating bath. The wear resistance of the Cr-C-deposited specimens could be noticeably improved by adding Al2O3 nanoparticles to the deposit. The Cr-C-Al2O3 deposited specimens, which were prepared in a plating bath with an Al2O3 concentration of 50 gL-1, had a relatively high wear resistance compared to the other specimens.