Chromium is a steely-gray, lustrous, hard metal that takes a high polish and has a high melting point. While chromium metal and Cr(III) ions are not considered toxic, hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), is both toxic and carcinogenic. 85 % of the available chromium is used in metal alloys. The remainder is used in the chemical, refractory, and foundry industries. Chromium compounds are used in leather products, dyes, paints, cement, mortar and are anti-corrosives. Chromium salts (chromates) are allergic to some people. Chrome ulcers are often found in workers that have been exposed to strong chromate solutions in electroplating, tanning and chrome-producing manufacturers [1, 2]

Anodic oxide coatings are formed on the metallic job by an electrochemical process known as anodizing. The process is carried out in an electrolytic cell where a job is made of an anode and a suitable inert metal as a cathode (Figure 3.1). When the electric current of sufficient voltage is passed through a suitable electrolyte the metal surface is converted to an adherent oxide coating which is an integral part of the substrate [1–4].

Chemical conversion coatings are one of the most common surface modification techniques that provide a barrier between metal and its surrounding environment [1]. The treatment can be carried out by dipping, spraying or by application of brush. The term chemical conversion is used where the exposed metal surface gets converted into the chemically inert inorganic coating by a chemical or electrochemical process. The coatings, in addition to corrosion protection, may impart requisite functional properties, enhanced surface hardness and a good base for application of subsequent paints, lubricants, adhesives, etc. The properties of these coatings depend on the kind of substrate metal, the composition and structure of the coatings. On the other hand, the composition and structure of the coatings depend on the bath composition and operating parameters of the process.

Besides aesthetic look, black finish on metallic substrates are used for various technological applications. Black coatings exhibit strong absorbance for a wide range of incident angles and are therefore extremely important to suppress stray light in the optical systems. Black coatings are abundantly employed as passive thermal control technique to maximise the thermal radiation in parts and devices.

There is a growing demand for light metal alloys components in aerospace and automobile fields primarily to save fuel cost. Magnesium alloys promise a great potential for various applications as lightweight structural materials. This advantage stems from their low densities and high specific strength/weight ratio. Other advantages are good electrical and thermal conductivity, good impact strength, ability to dampen shockwaves, ease of forming at room temperature, weldability, buckling resistances, ductility and pressure tightness. Despite sounding like a designers' dream metal, magnesium has two grave drawbacks that limit their widespread applications. One is their poor corrosion resistance. These alloys are prone to oxidation even at room temperature when exposed to atmosphere. The other is their relatively frail surface ­mechanical properties, e.g. hardness, wear resistance, etc. Owing to the exceptional engineering properties of magnesium alloys ample attempts have been made in last few decades to develop the suitable surface protection techniques. In this article the advances of chemical conversion coatings on the magnesium alloys are discussed for ready reference of users.

There is growing demand for light metal alloys components in aerospace and automobile fields primarily to save fuel cost. Magnesium alloys promise a great potential for various applications as lightweight structural materials. This advantage stems from their low densities and high specific strength/weight ratio. Other advantages are good electrical and thermal conductivity, good impact strength, ability to dampen shockwaves, ease of forming at room temperature, weldability, buckling resistances, ductility and pressure tightness. Despite sounding like a designers’ dream metal, magnesium has two grave drawbacks that limit their widespread applications. One is their poor corrosion resistance. These alloys are prone to oxidation even at room temperature when exposed to atmosphere. The other is their relatively frail surface mechanical properties, e.g. hardness, wear resistance, etc. Owing to the exceptional engineering properties of magnesium alloys ample attempts have been made in last few decades to develop the suitable surface protection techniques. In this article the advances of chemical conversion coatings on the magnesium alloys are discussed for ready reference of users.

There is growing demand for light metal alloys components in aerospace and automobile fields primarily to save fuel cost. Magnesium alloys promise a great potential for various applications as lightweight structural materials. This advantage stems from their low densities and high specific strength/weight ratio. Other advantages are good electrical and thermal conductivity, good impact strength, ability to dampen shockwaves, ease of forming at room temperature, weldability, buckling resistances, ductility and pressure tightness. Despite sounding like a designers' dream metal, magnesium has two grave drawbacks that limit their widespread applications: poor corrosion resistance and the relatively frail surface mechanical properties. Owing to the exceptional engineering properties of magnesium alloys ample attempts have been made in last few decades to develop suitable surface protection techniques. In this article the advances of chemical conversion coatings on the magnesium alloys are discussed.

There is a growing demand for light metal alloys components in aerospace and automobile fields primarily to save fuel cost. Magnesium alloys promise a great potential for various applications as lightweight structural materials. This advantage stems from their low densities and high specific strength/weight ratio. Other advantages are good electrical and thermal conductivity, good impact strength, ability to dampen shockwaves, ease of forming at room temperature, weldability, buckling resistances, ductility and pressure tightness. Despite sounding like a designers' dream metal, magnesium has two grave drawbacks that limit their widespread applications: poor corrosion resistance and relatively frail surface mechanical properties. Owing to the exceptional engineering properties of magnesium alloys ample attempts have been made in the last few decades to develop suitable surface protection techniques. In this article the advances of chemical conversion coatings on the magnesium alloys are discussed.

There is growing demand for light metal alloys components in aerospace and automobile fields primarily to save fuel cost. Magnesium alloys promise a great potential for various applications as lightweight structural materials. This advantage stems from their low densities and high specific strength/weight ratio. Other advantages are good electrical and thermal conductivity, good impact strength, ability to dampen shockwaves, ease of forming at room temperature, weldability, buckling resistances, ductility and pressure tightness. Despite sounding like a designers‘ dream metal, magnesium has two grave drawbacks that limit their widespread applications: poor corrosion resistance and the relatively frail surface mechanical properties. Owing to the exceptional engineering properties of magnesium alloys ample attempts have been made in last few decades to develop suitable surface protection techniques. In this article the advances of chemical conversion coatings on the magnesium alloys are discussed.