Microstructural and Mechanical Characterization of Chromium Coating Deposed on Carbon Fibers

摘要

In this work, plain weave carbon fibers fabric T700SC was electrolytically coated with chromium layer. The effect of the bath parameters such as current density and pH on the coating thickness, morphology, and nanoindentation property of the chromium deposited layer was investigated. Modified Hummer's method was used to improve the low surface polarity of the carbon fibers and make an adherent coating. The results show that the surface morphology of the chromium coating depend on the bath solution. Herein, the results reveal that a fine uniform chromium coating of around 15.4 mu m can be achieved at 0.321 A/cm(2) and pH = 2.9 for 60 min. Acordingly, a hardness and elastic modulus of 6 GPa and 262 GPa are obtained, respectively.