Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a trivalent chromium plating solution and a chromium
plating method using the same.
Background Art
[0002] A chromium plating has been used as a decorative coating film due to the silver-white
appearance thereof. Hexavalent chromium has been used for the chromium plating, but
the use of hexavalent chromium is being restricted in recent years since hexavalent
chromium adversely affects the environments, and the technologies are being shifted
to the use of trivalent chromium.
[0003] However, a trivalent chromium plating is inferior in corrosion resistance to a hexavalent
chromium plating. Under the circumstances, the techniques for enhancing the corrosion
resistance of the trivalent chromium plating have been reported. For example, PTL
1 reports the technique of the enhancement of corrosion resistance in a calcium chloride
environment.
[0004] However, this trivalent chromium plating is still inferior in CASS corrosion resistance
to the hexavalent chromium plating, and is not practical.
Citation List
Patent Literature
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0006] A problem of the present invention is to provide a practical trivalent chromium plating
with enhanced corrosion resistance as compared to the ordinary trivalent chromium
plating.
Solution to Problem
[0007] As a result of earnest investigations for solving the problem by the present inventors,
it has been found that a trivalent chromium plating obtained with a trivalent chromium
plating solution having added thereto an organic compound having 2-4 carbon atoms
and three or more chloro groups has high corrosion resistance and is practical, and
thus the present invention has been completed.
[0008] The present invention relates to a trivalent chromium plating solution containing
a trivalent chromium compound, a complexing agent, a conductive salt, and a pH-buffering
agent,
the trivalent chromium plating solution further containing an organic compound having
2-4 carbon atoms and three or more chloro groups .
[0009] The present invention also relates to an additive for a trivalent chromium plating
solution, containing an organic compound having 2-4 carbon atoms and three or more
chloro groups as an active ingredient.
[0010] The present invention further relates to a chromium plating method for an article
to be plated, including electroplating the article to be plated with the trivalent
chromium plating solution.
[0011] The present invention still further relates to a method for enhancing corrosion resistance
of an article to be plated, including electroplating the article to be plated with
the trivalent chromium plating solution.
[0012] The present invention still further relates to a chromium plated product obtained
by electroplating an article to be plated with the trivalent chromium plating solution.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0013] The trivalent chromium plating solution of the present invention can provide a plating
that has an appearance equivalent to a plating formed by using hexavalent chromium,
irrespective of the use of trivalent chromium, and further has enhanced corrosion
resistance and practicality.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0014]
Fig. 1 is a figure showing results of a corrosion resistance test (CASS test) performed
(Examples 1 to 5).
Fig. 2 is a figure showing results of the corrosion resistance test (CASS test) performed
(Comparative Examples 1 and 2 and Reference Example).
Fig. 3 is a figure showing results of the corrosion resistance test (CASS test) performed
(Examples 6 to 8).
Description of Embodiments
[0015] The trivalent chromium plating solution of the present invention (hereinafter referred
to as a "plating solution of the present invention") is obtained by adding an organic
compound having 2-4 carbon atoms and three or more chloro groups, to a trivalent chromium
plating solution containing a trivalent chromium compound, a complexing agent, a conductive
salt, and a pH-buffering agent.
[0016] The organic compound having 2-4 carbon atoms and three or more chloro groups used
in the plating solution of the present invention (which may be hereinafter referred
simply to as an "organic compound") is not particularly limited, and examples of which
include chloral hydrate, trichloroethylene, trichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetonitrile,
and trichloroethanol. The organic compound may be used alone, or two or more kinds
thereof may be used. Among these organic compounds, chloral hydrate and/or trichloroethylene
are preferred, and chloral hydrate is more preferred. The content of the organic compound
in the plating solution of the present invention is not particularly limited, and
is, for example, 10 to 5,000 mg/L, preferably 20 to 2,000 mg/L, and more preferably
50 to 1,000 mg/L.
[0017] The organic compound can form an additive for a trivalent chromium plating solution
using the organic compound as an active ingredient. The additive for a trivalent chromium
plating solution may be added to the ordinary trivalent chromium plating solution.
[0018] The trivalent chromium compound used in the plating solution of the present invention
is not particularly limited, examples of which include basic chromium sulfate, chromium
sulfate, chromium chloride, chromium sulfamate, and chromium acetate, and basic chromium
sulfate and chromium sulfate are preferred. The trivalent chromium compound may be
used alone, or two or more kinds thereof may be used in combination. The content of
the trivalent chromium compound in the plating solution of the present invention is
not particularly limited, and is, for example, 1 to 25 g/L, and preferably 1 to 15
g/L, in terms of metallic chromium.
[0019] The complexing agent used in the plating solution of the present invention is not
particularly limited, examples of which include an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid,
such as formic acid, ammonium formate, and potassium formate, an aliphatic dicarboxylic
acid, such as succinic acid, maleic acid, malic acid, citric acid, and triammonium
citrate, and a carboxylic acid having two or more hydroxy groups and two or more carboxy
groups, such as tartaric acid, diammonium tartrate, and sodium tartrate. The complexing
agent may be used alone, or two or more kinds thereof may be used in combination.
The content of the complexing agent in the plating solution of the present invention
is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 0.1 to 50 g/L, and preferably 1
to 30 g/L.
[0020] The conductive salt used in the plating solution of the present invention is not
particularly limited, examples of which include a sulfate, such as potassium sulfate,
ammonium sulfate, and sodium sulfate, a chloride, such as potassium chloride, ammonium
chloride, and sodium chloride, and a sulfamate, such as potassium sulfamate, ammonium
sulfamate, and sodium sulfamate. These conductive salts are used as each of the groups,
for example, groups of sulfates, chlorides, and the like. Among the conductive salts,
a sulfate and a chloride are preferred. The conductive salt may be used alone, or
two or more kinds thereof may be used in combination. The content of the conductive
salt in the plating solution of the present invention is not particularly limited,
and is, for example, 100 to 500 g/L, and preferably 150 to 300 g/L.
[0021] The pH-buffering agent used in the plating solution of the present invention is not
particularly limited, and may be boric acid, sodium borate, potassium borate, phosphoric
acid, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, or the like. Among these, boric acid and sodium
borate are preferred. The pH-buffering agent may be used alone, or two or more kinds
thereof may be used in combination. The content of the pH-buffering agent in the plating
solution of the present invention is not particularly limited, and is, for example,
25 to 200 g/L, and preferably 50 to 100 g/L.
[0022] The plating solution of the present invention may further contain ascorbic acid,
sodium ascorbate, hydrogen peroxide, polyethylene glycol, a tin salt, such as tin
sulfate and tin chloride, and the like.
[0023] The pH of the plating solution of the present invention is not particularly limited,
as far as the pH is in an acidic range, and is, for example, preferably 2 to 4.5,
and more preferably 2.5 to 4.0.
[0024] In the case where the conductive salt of the plating solution of the present invention
is a sulfate, the complexing agent used is preferably a carboxylic acid having two
or more hydroxy groups and two or more carboxy groups or a salt thereof. Examples
of the complexing agent include the carboxylic acid, such as tartaric acid, and the
salt of the carboxylic acid, such as diammonium tartrate, Rochelle salt, and sodium
tartrate. Among these complexing agents, tartaric acid and diammonium tartrate are
preferred, and diammonium tartrate is more preferred. The complexing agent may be
used alone, or two or more kinds thereof may be used in combination. The content of
the carboxylic acid or the salt thereof in the plating solution of the present invention
is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 0.1 to 90 g/L, and preferably 1
to 60 g/L. In the present invention, a hydroxy group in the carboxy group is not counted
as the hydroxy group.
[0025] In the case where the conductive salt of the plating solution of the present invention
is a sulfate, furthermore, a carboxylic acid having two or more carboxy groups and
4 or more carbon atoms or a salt thereof is preferably used in combination with the
complexing agent. Examples of the carboxylic acid having two or more carboxy groups
and 4 or more carbon atoms or a salt thereof include a carboxylic acid, such as adipic
acid, phthalic acid, pimelic acid, and sebacic acid, and salts of the carboxylic acids.
The complexing agent may be used alone, or two or more kinds thereof may be used in
combination, and phthalic acid and/or adipic acid are preferred. The content of the
carboxylic acid having two or more carboxy groups and 4 or more carbon atoms or a
salt thereof in the plating solution of the present invention is not particularly
limited, and the carboxylic acid having two or more carboxy groups and 4 or more carbon
atoms or a salt thereof may be used as a part of the carboxylic acid having two or
more hydroxy groups and two or more carboxy groups or a salt thereof within the range
of the content thereof. The use of the carboxylic acid having two or more carboxy
groups and 4 or more carbon atoms or a salt thereof enhances the corrosion resistance
without a chromate treatment described later performed.
[0026] In the case where the conductive salt of the plating solution of the present invention
is a sulfate, furthermore, a sulfur-containing organic compound is preferably contained.
The sulfur-containing organic compound used in the plating solution of the present
invention is not particularly limited, and examples of which include saccharin or
a salt thereof, a sulfur-containing organic compound having an allyl group, a carboxylic
acid having a carbamimidoylthio group and a dehydration reaction product thereof,
thiourea, and sodium thiocyanate.
[0027] Examples of the saccharin or a salt thereof include saccharin and sodium saccharate.
Among these, sodium saccharate is preferred.
[0028] Examples of the sulfur-containing organic compound having an allyl group include
sodium allylsulfonate, allylthiourea, ammonium 2-methylallylsulfonate, and allyl isothiocyanate.
Among these, sodium allylsulfonate and/or allylthiourea are preferred.
[0029] Examples of the carboxylic acid having a carbamimidoylthio group and a dehydration
reaction product thereof include a carboxylic acid having a carbamimidoylthio group
represented by the general formula (1) and a dehydration reaction product of a carboxylic
acid having a carbamimidoylthio group represented by the general formula (2).

In the formula (1), n represents an integer of 1 to 5, preferably 1 to 2.

[0030] In the formula (2), m represents an integer of 1 or 2.
[0031] Specific examples of the carboxylic acid having a carbamimidoylthio group and a dehydration
reaction product thereof include [[amino(imino)methyl]thio]acetic acid, 3-[[amino(imino)methyl]thio]propanoic
acid, 2-iminothiazolidin-4-one, and 2-amino-5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-thiazin-4-one.
[0032] The sulfur-containing organic compound may be used alone, or two or more kinds thereof
may be used in combination. Among the sulfur-containing organic compounds, a combination
of saccharin or a salt thereof and one or more kind selected from the group consisting
of a sulfur-containing organic compound having an allyl group and a carboxylic acid
having a carbamimidoylthio group and/or a dehydration reaction product thereof is
preferred, and a combination of sodium saccharate and sodium allylsulfonate is particularly
preferred. The content of the sulfur-containing organic compound in the plating solution
of the present invention is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 0.5 to
10 g/L, and preferably 2 to 8 g/L.
[0033] In the case where the conductive salt of the plating solution of the present invention
is a sulfate, it is particularly preferred that a carboxylic acid having two or more
hydroxy groups and two or more carboxy groups or a salt thereof is used as the complexing
agent, and a combination of saccharin or a salt thereof and one or more kind selected
from the group consisting of a sulfur-containing organic compound having an allyl
group and a carboxylic acid having a carbamimidoylthio group and/or a dehydration
reaction product thereof is used as the sulfur-containing organic compound.
[0034] The preparation method of the plating solution of the present invention described
above is not particularly limited, and the plating solution may be prepared, for example,
in such a manner that the trivalent chromium compound, the complexing agent, the conductive
salt, and the pH-buffering agent are added to water at 40 to 60°C and mixed and dissolved
therein, then the organic compound having 2-4 carbon atoms and three or more chloro
groups and depending on necessity the sulfur-containing organic compound are added
thereto and mixed therein, and finally the pH is regulated with sulfuric acid, aqueous
ammonia, or the like.
[0035] The plating solution of the present invention can provide a chromium plating on an
article to be plated by electroplating the article to be plated with the plating solution
of the present invention, similarly to the ordinary chromium plating solution. Further,
corrosion resistance is enhanced by the electroplating.
[0036] The condition of the electroplating is not particularly limited, and the electroplating
may be performed, for example, at a bath temperature of 30 to 60°C, with an anode
formed of carbon or iridium oxide, at a cathode current density of 2 to 20 A/dm
2, for 1 to 15 minutes.
[0037] Examples of the article to be plated capable of being electroplated include a metal,
such as iron, stainless steel, and brass, and a resin, such as ABS and PC/ABS. The
article to be plated may be subjected to a treatment, such as copper plating and nickel
plating, in advance before the treatment with the plating solution of the present
invention.
[0038] In the case where the article to be plated is subjected to a nickel plating three
layers or four layers of nickel plating layers are preferably provided by the ordinary
method. In the case of three layers, a semibright nickel plating, a bright nickel
plating, and a microporous nickel plating may be provided in this order. In this case,
the potential differences among the layers are not particularly limited, and for example,
it is preferred that the potential difference of the bright nickel plating is - 200
to -60 mV with respect to the semibright nickel plating, and the potential difference
of the microporous nickel plating is 20 to 100 mV with respect to the bright nickel
plating. In the case of four layers, a semibright nickel plating, a high sulfur content
nickel plating, a bright nickel plating, and a microporous nickel plating may be provided
in this order. In this case, the potential differences among the layers are not particularly
limited, and for example, it is preferred that the potential difference of the bright
nickel plating is - 200 to -60 mV with respect to the semibright nickel plating, the
potential difference of the high sulfur content nickel plating is -50 to -5 mV with
respect to the bright nickel plating, and the potential difference of the microporous
nickel plating is 20 to 100 mV with respect to the bright nickel plating.
[0039] The chromium plated product thus obtained has enhanced corrosion resistance. The
enhancement of the corrosion resistance herein means that the rating number (R. N.)
is enhanced in the evaluation according to JIS H8502.
[0040] The chromium plating may be further subjected to a chromate treatment, and thereby
the corrosion resistance is further enhanced.
[0041] The condition of the chromate treatment is not particularly limited, and for example,
electroplating may be performed at a bath temperature of 25 to 70°C, with an insoluble
anode, such as a lead-tin alloy, as an anode, at a cathode current density of 0.1
to 1 A/dm
2, for 1 minute.
Examples
[0042] The present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples below,
but the present invention is not limited to the examples.
Examples 1 to 5
Trivalent Chromium Plating
[0043] The trivalent chromium compound, the complexing agent, the conductive salt, and the
pH-buffering agent shown in Table 1 were added to water at 60°C and mixed and dissolved
therein, then the organic compound having 2-4 carbon atoms and three or more chloro
groups and the sulfur-containing organic compound were added thereto and mixed therein,
and finally the pH was regulated with sulfuric acid, aqueous ammonia, or the like,
thereby preparing a trivalent chromium plating solution. A chromium plating was formed
on an article of an ABS resin having formed thereon a copper plating ("CU-BRITE EP-30",
produced by JCU Corporation), a semibright nickel plating ("CF-24T", produced by JCU
Corporation), a bright nickel plating ("HI-BRITE #88", produced by JCU Corporation),
and a microporous nickel plating ("MP-NI 308", produced by JCU Corporation) under
condition of the bath temperature shown in Table 1 and a current density of 10 A/dm
2 for 3 minutes, so as to provide a test piece. The test piece was subjected to a CASS
test (JIS H8502). The micrographs of the test pieces after the CASS test for 80 hours
are shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The rating numbers (R. N.) shown in the figures are evaluation
in terms of total corrosion rate. The chromate treatment was performed with "EBACHRO-500",
produced by JCU Corporation, under condition of a bath temperature of 40°C and a cathode
current density of 0.2 A/dm
2 for 1 minute.
Table 1
Composition of plating solution |
Example 1 |
Example 2 |
Example 3 |
Example 4 |
Example 5 |
Comparative Example 1 |
Comparative Example 2 |
Reference Example |
Basic chromium sulfate g/L |
64 |
64 |
64 |
64 |
64 |
64 |
64 |
- |
Chromium anhydride g/L |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
250 |
Sulfuric acid (98%) g/L |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2.5 |
Malic acid g/L |
15 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
15 |
- |
- |
Diammonium tartrate g/L |
- |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
- |
30 |
- |
Adipic acid g/L |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Sodium sulfate g/L |
35 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
35 |
- |
- |
Potassium sulfate g/L |
140 |
150 |
150 |
150 |
150 |
- |
150 |
- |
Ammonium sulfate g/L |
30 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
30 |
20 |
- |
Boric acid g/L |
90 |
80 |
80 |
80 |
80 |
90 |
80 |
- |
Sodium saccharate g/L |
2.5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
2.5 |
4 |
- |
Thiourea mg/L |
10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
10 |
- |
- |
Sodium allylsulfonate (36%) mL/L |
- |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
- |
2 |
- |
Chloral hydrate (810 g/L) mL/L |
0.1 |
0.1 |
0.1 |
0.1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Trichloroethylene mL/L |
- |
- |
- |
- |
26 |
- |
- |
- |
pH of plating solution |
3.4 |
3.4 |
3.4 |
3.4 |
3.4 |
3.4 |
3.4 |
- |
Bath temperature °C |
60 |
55 |
55 |
55 |
55 |
60 |
45 |
40 |
Chromate treatment |
no |
no |
yes |
no |
no |
no |
yes |
- |
[0044] It was understood from the results of the CASS test that the addition of the organic
compound having 2-4 carbon atoms and three or more chloro groups to the trivalent
chromium plating solution enhanced the corrosion resistance. Some of the plating solutions
of the present invention provided a high corrosion resistant film without the chromate
treatment performed.
Examples 6 to 8
Trivalent Chromium Plating
[0045] The trivalent chromium compound, the complexing agent, the conductive salt, and the
pH-buffering agent shown in Table 2 were added to water at 60°C and mixed and dissolved
therein, then the organic compound having 2-4 carbon atoms and three or more chloro
groups and the sulfur-containing organic compound were added thereto and mixed therein,
and finally the pH was regulated with sulfuric acid, aqueous ammonia, or the like,
thereby preparing a trivalent chromium plating solution. A chromium plating was formed
on an article of an ABS resin having formed thereon a copper plating ("CU-BRITE EP-30",
produced by JCU Corporation), a semibright nickel plating ("CF-24T", produced by JCU
Corporation), a bright nickel plating ("HI-BRITE #88", produced by JCU Corporation),
and a microporous nickel plating ("MP-NI 308", produced by JCU Corporation) under
condition of the bath temperature shown in Table 2 and a current density of 10 A/dm
2 for 3 minutes, so as to provide a test piece. The test piece was subjected to a CASS
test (JIS H8502). The micrographs of the test pieces after the CASS test for 80 hours
are shown in Fig. 3. The rating numbers (R. N.) shown in the figure are evaluation
in terms of total corrosion rate. The results are also shown in Table 2.
Table 2
Composition of plating solution |
Example 6 |
Example 7 |
Example 8 |
Comparative Example 3 |
Basic chromium sulfate g/L |
19.5 |
19.5 |
19.5 |
19.5 |
Diammonium tartrate g/L |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
Potassium sulfate g/L |
150 |
150 |
150 |
150 |
Boric acid g/L |
70 |
70 |
70 |
70 |
Sodium saccharate g/L |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
[[amino(imino)methyl]thio]acetic acid mg/L |
50 |
- |
20 |
50 |
2-Iminothiazolidin-4-one mg/L |
- |
50 |
30 |
- |
Chloral hydrate (810 g/L) mL/L |
0.25 |
0.25 |
0.25 |
- |
pH of plating solution |
3.7 |
3.7 |
3.7 |
3.7 |
Bath temperature °C |
55 |
55 |
55 |
55 |
Chromate treatment |
no |
no |
no |
no |
Rating number (R. N.) |
9 |
9 |
9 |
8 |
[0046] It was understood from the results of the CASS test that the corrosion pitting was
smaller in Example 6 than in Comparative Example 3. The similar result was obtained
in Examples 7 and 8. It was understood therefrom that the addition of the organic
compound having 2-4 carbon atoms and three or more chloro groups to the trivalent
chromium plating solution enhanced the corrosion resistance.
Example 9
Trivalent Chromium Plating Bath
[0047] The trivalent chromium compound, the complexing agent, the conductive salt, and the
pH-buffering agent shown in the following compositions 1 to 3 were added to water
at 50°C and mixed and dissolved therein, then the organic compound having 2-4 carbon
atoms and three or more chloro groups was added thereto and mixed therein, and finally
the pH was regulated with hydrochloric acid, aqueous ammonia, or the like, thereby
preparing a trivalent chromium plating solution.
<Composition 1> |
|
Basic chromium sulfate |
64 g/L |
Ammonium formate |
16 g/L |
Potassium chloride |
165 g/L |
Ammonium chloride |
100 g/L |
Ammonium bromide |
6 g/L |
Boric acid |
67 g/L |
Chloral hydrate (810 g/L) |
0.1 mL/L |
<Composition 2>
[0048]
Basic chromium sulfate |
64 g/L |
Ammonium formate |
16 g/L |
Sodium chloride |
75 g/L |
Potassium chloride |
165 g/L |
Ammonium chloride |
100 g/L |
Ammonium bromide |
6 g/L |
Boric acid |
67 g/L |
Chloral hydrate (810 g/L) |
0.1 mL/L |
[0049] <Composition 3>
Basic chromium sulfate |
64 g/L |
Ammonium tartrate |
30 g/L |
Potassium sulfate |
150 g/L |
Ammonium sulfate |
20 g/L |
Boric acid |
80 g/L |
Chloral hydrate (810 g/L) |
0.1 mL/L |
Examples 10 and 11
Trivalent Chromium Plating
[0050] The trivalent chromium compound, the complexing agent, the conductive salt, and the
pH-buffering agent shown in Table 3 were added to water at 60°C and mixed and dissolved
therein, then the organic compound having 2-4 carbon atoms and three or more chloro
groups was added thereto and mixed therein, and finally the pH was regulated with
hydrochloric acid or aqueous ammonia, thereby preparing a trivalent chromium plating
solution. A chromium plating was formed on an article of an ABS resin having formed
thereon a copper plating ("CU-BRITE EP-30", produced by JCU Corporation), a semibright
nickel plating ("CF-24T", produced by JCU Corporation), a bright nickel plating ("HI-BRITE
#88", produced by JCU Corporation), and a microporous nickel plating ("MP-NI 308",
produced by JCU Corporation) under condition of the bath temperature shown in Table
3 and a current density of 10 A/dm
2 for 3 minutes, so as to provide a test piece. The test piece was subjected to a CASS
test (JIS H8502) . The rating numbers (R. N.) after the CASS test for 80 hours are
evaluation in terms of total corrosion rate. The results are also shown in Table 3.
The chromate treatment was performed with "EBACHRO-500", produced by JCU Corporation,
under condition of a bath temperature of 40°C and a cathode current density of 0.2
A/dm
2 for 1 minute.
Table 3
Composition of plating solution |
Example 10 |
Example 11 |
Comparative Example 4 |
Comparative Example 5 |
Basic chromium sulfate g/L |
64 |
64 |
64 |
64 |
Ammonium formate g/L |
16 |
16 |
16 |
16 |
Sodium chloride g/L |
70 |
70 |
70 |
70 |
Potassium chloride g/L |
140 |
140 |
140 |
140 |
Ammonium chloride g/L |
85 |
85 |
85 |
85 |
Ammonium bromide g/L |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
Boric acid g/L |
67 |
67 |
67 |
67 |
Chloral hydrate (810 g/L) mL/L |
0.8 |
0.8 |
- |
- |
pH of plating solution |
2.7 |
2.7 |
2.7 |
2.7 |
Bath temperature °C |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
Chromate treatment |
no |
yes |
no |
yes |
Rating number (R. N.) |
9 |
9.3 |
8 |
9 |
[0051] It was understood from the results of the CASS test that the addition of the organic
compound having 2-4 carbon atoms and three or more chloro groups to the trivalent
chromium plating solution enhanced the corrosion resistance.
Industrial Applicability
[0052] The trivalent chromium plating solution of the present invention can be applied to
various purposes similarly to a plating using hexavalent chromium.
1. A trivalent chromium plating solution comprising a trivalent chromium compound, a
complexing agent, a conductive salt, and a pH-buffering agent,
the trivalent chromium plating solution further comprising an organic compound having
2-4 carbon atoms and three or more chloro groups .
2. The trivalent chromium plating solution according to claim 1, wherein the organic
compound having 2-4 carbon atoms and three or more chloro groups is chloral hydrate
and/or trichloroethylene.
3. The trivalent chromium plating solution according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conductive
salt is a sulfate.
4. The trivalent chromium plating solution according to claim 3, further comprising a
sulfur-containing organic compound.
5. The trivalent chromium plating solution according to claim 3, wherein
the conductive salt is a sulfate,
the complexing agent is a carboxylic acid having two or more hydroxy groups and two
or more carboxy groups or a salt thereof, and
the sulfur-containing organic compound is a combination of saccharin or a salt thereof
and
one or more kind selected from the group consisting of a sulfur-containing organic
compound having an allyl group and a carboxylic acid having a carbamimidoylthio group
and/or a dehydration reaction product thereof.
6. The trivalent chromium plating solution according to claim 5, wherein the carboxylic
acid having two or more hydroxy groups or a salt thereof is tartaric acid or diammonium
tartrate.
7. The trivalent chromium plating solution according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the sulfur-containing
organic compound having an allyl group is sodium allylsulfonate and/or allylthiourea.
8. The trivalent chromium plating solution according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further
comprising a carboxylic acid having two or more carboxy groups and 4 or more carbon
atoms or a salt thereof as the complexing agent.
9. The trivalent chromium plating solution according to claim 8, wherein the carboxylic
acid having two or more carboxy groups and 4 or more carbon atoms or a salt thereof
is phthalic acid and/or adipic acid.
10. The trivalent chromium plating solution according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conductive
salt is a chloride.
11. An additive for a trivalent chromium plating solution, comprising an organic compound
having 2-4 carbon atoms and three or more chloro groups as an active ingredient.
12. A chromium plating method for an article to be plated, comprising electroplating the
article to be plated with the trivalent chromium plating solution according to any
one of claims 1 to 10.
13. The chromium plating method for an article to be plated according to claim 12, further
comprising performing a chromate treatment, after electroplating the article to be
plated.
14. A method for enhancing corrosion resistance of an article to be plated, comprising
electroplating the article to be plated with the trivalent chromium plating solution
according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
15. The method for enhancing corrosion resistance of an article to be plated according
to claim 14, further comprising performing a chromate treatment, after electroplating
the article to be plated.
16. A chromium plated product obtained by electroplating an article to be plated with
the trivalent chromium plating solution according to any one of claims 1 to 10.