Hydrogen dissolution and structural changes in electrodeposited Cr films

Effects of hydrogen on the structure of electrodeposited Cr films have been investigated by combining X-ray diffraction and thermal desorption spectroscopy, systematically varying the plating conditions. A large amount of hydrogen was dissolved at high current densities in a Cr-rich bath at low temperatures, and caused structural changes from bee to hcp and fcc hydrides with increasing hydrogen concentrations. Hydrogen dissolved in regular interstitial sites in the hcp and fee hydrides desorbed at 100C, but its certain fraction remained as bubbles and desorbed at >800C leaving dimples on the surface.