The technological (deposition rate, coating composition) and functional (surface roughness, microhardness) characteristics of chemical composite coatings Ni—Cu—P—Cr2O3 obtained from weakly acidic and slightly alkaline solutions are compared. It is shown that coatings deposited from slightly alkaline solution contain slightly less phosphorus and chromium oxide than coatings deposited from weakly acid solution (2...3 % wt. phosphorus and up to 3.4 % wt. chromium oxide), formed at higher rate (24...25 microns per 1 hour of deposition at temperature of 80 °C), are characte rized by lower roughness and increased microhardness. The Vickers microhardness at 0.05 N load of composite coatings obtained from slightly alkaline solution and heat-treated at 400 °C for 1 hour is 13.5...15.2 GPa, which is higher than values for coatings deposited made of weakly acidic solution. The maximum microhardness of coatings is achieved at concentration 20 g/l of Cr2O3 particles. The technology of chemical deposition of Ni—Cu—P—Cr2O3 coatings formed in slightly alkaline solution is promising for obtaining of materials with increased hardness and wear resistance.
