An object comprising a chromium-based coating on a substrate is disclosed. The chromium is electroplated from an aqueous electroplating bath comprising trivalent chromium cations, wherein the chromium-based coating comprises at least one chromium-containing layer, the chromium-based coating does not contain macrocracks, wherein a macrocrack is a crack that extends from the outer surface of the chromium-based coating, through the chromium-based coating, to the substrate, the chromium-based coating has a Vickers microhardness value of 800-1100 HV, and the chromium-based coating exhibits a critical scratch load value (L.sub.C2) of at least 80 N in the adhesion test according to ASTM C1624-05 (2015; point 11.11.4.4). Further is disclosed a method for its production.

An object comprising a chromium-based coating on a substrate is disclosed. The chromium is electroplated from an aqueous electroplating bath comprising trivalent chromium cations, wherein the chromium-based coating comprises at least one chromium-containing layer, the chromium-based coating does not contain macrocracks, wherein a macrocrack is a crack that extends from the outer surface of the chromium-based coating, through the chromium-based coating, to the substrate, the chromium-based coating has a Vickers microhardness value of 800-1100 HV, and the chromium-based coating exhibits a critical scratch load value (L.sub.C2) of at least 80 N in the adhesion test according to ASTM C1624-05 (2015; point 11.11.4.4). Further is disclosed a method for its production.

The present invention relates to a method for electrodepositing a dark chromium layer on a substrate and a substrate having at least one side fully covered with a dark chromium layer. The method includes utilizing an aqueous trivalent chromium electroplating bath comprising colloidal particles and a step of treating the substrate with a rinse liquid having a temperature of 50° C. or more.

The present invention relates to a method for electrodepositing a dark chromium layer on a substrate and a substrate having at least one side fully covered with a dark chromium layer. The method includes utilizing an aqueous trivalent chromium electroplating bath comprising colloidal particles and a step of treating the substrate with a rinse liquid having a temperature of 50° C. or more.

A component for a vehicle comprises two or more first members each formed of a plateable resin and defining a front surface, wherein the front surfaces of the first members (i) are spaced apart from each other such that they appear discontinuous and (ii) collectively correspond to an outer surface of the component, a second member formed of a non-plateable resin and connected to each of the first members and a chrome plating applied to one or more exposed surfaces of each of the first members. A method of manufacturing the component involves utilizing one or more molds and removing a non-plated component comprising the first members and the second member from one of the one or more molds, attaching the non-plated component to a plating rack, such as via a permanent or temporary conductive circuit, and then performing the chrome plating.

A component for a vehicle comprises two or more first members each formed of a plateable resin and defining a front surface, wherein the front surfaces of the first members (i) are spaced apart from each other such that they appear discontinuous and (ii) collectively correspond to an outer surface of the component, a second member formed of a non-plateable resin and connected to each of the first members and a chrome plating applied to one or more exposed surfaces of each of the first members. A method of manufacturing the component involves utilizing one or more molds and removing a non-plated component comprising the first members and the second member from one of the one or more molds, attaching the non-plated component to a plating rack, such as via a permanent or temporary conductive circuit, and then performing the chrome plating.

An electrolyte solution for chrome plating from trivalent chromium is prepared by dissolving in an aqueous medium a trivalent chromium salt (e.g., chromium (III) chloride or chromium (III) sulfate), dissolving an oxalate compound (e.g., sodium oxalate, potassium oxalate, or oxalic acid), dissolving a metal salt (e.g., aluminum sulfate or aluminum chloride), dissolving an alkali metal sulfate (e.g., sodium sulfate or potassium sulfate), and dissolving an alkali metal halide (e.g., sodium fluoride or potassium fluoride). A substrate is chrome plated from trivalent chromium using the electrolyte solution by passing a current between a cathode and an anode through the electrolyte solution to deposit chromium on the substrate.

An electrolyte solution for chrome plating from trivalent chromium is prepared by dissolving in an aqueous medium a trivalent chromium salt (e.g., chromium (III) chloride or chromium (III) sulfate), dissolving an oxalate compound (e.g., sodium oxalate, potassium oxalate, or oxalic acid), dissolving a metal salt (e.g., aluminum sulfate or aluminum chloride), dissolving an alkali metal sulfate (e.g., sodium sulfate or potassium sulfate), and dissolving an alkali metal halide (e.g., sodium fluoride or potassium fluoride). A substrate is chrome plated from trivalent chromium using the electrolyte solution by passing a current between a cathode and an anode through the electrolyte solution to deposit chromium on the substrate.

An aqueous trivalent chromium electrolyte comprising trivalent chromium ions and amino acids that allow for producing a dark colored hue in the trivalent chromium coating which is plated on a substrate. The amino acids described herein comprise a cationic side chain and are at least essentially free of sulfur. The cationic side chain of the amino acid further comprises nitrogen. When used in the trivalent chromium electrolyte, these amino acids allow for producing significantly darker trivalent chromium deposits. The trivalent chromium electrolyte is used in a method for producing the desired dark colored hue in the trivalent chromium coating that is produced on a substrate using electrodeposition.

An aqueous trivalent chromium electrolyte comprising trivalent chromium ions and amino acids that allow for producing a dark colored hue in the trivalent chromium coating which is plated on a substrate. The amino acids described herein comprise a cationic side chain and are at least essentially free of sulfur. The cationic side chain of the amino acid further comprises nitrogen. When used in the trivalent chromium electrolyte, these amino acids allow for producing significantly darker trivalent chromium deposits. The trivalent chromium electrolyte is used in a method for producing the desired dark colored hue in the trivalent chromium coating that is produced on a substrate using electrodeposition.