Chrome plated articles of variable surface appearance

Abstract

A process for applying patterning across the surface of a chrome plated article. The process uses electroplated layers of nickel and chromium in combination with controlled and selectively applied dimpling treatment of coated layers to impart patterns of predefined differential reflectivity across the final surface while nonetheless retaining corrosion resistance.

1 . A method for patterning a surface of a chrome plated article having substantial corrosion resistance, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a base substrate;   (b) depositing a semi-bright nickel layer at a position above the substrate;   (c) depositing a bright nickel layer at a position above the semi-bright nickel;   (d) depositing a chromium layer at a position above the bright nickel, said chromium layer defining an outer show surface of the chrome plated article; and   (e) bombarding a surface of at least one of the bright nickel layer and the chromium layer with an impact media at discrete, predefined impact zones across said surface to produce a pattern of dimpled surface zones having a first reflective character in combination with other adjacent surface zones having a second different reflective character across said outer show surface, said dimpled surface zones corresponding to said predefined impact zones wherein the chrome plated article is characterized by substantial corrosion resistance in salt-rich environments such that the chrome plated article remains free from blisters and corrosion spots when subjected to acid-salt spray testing as set forth in ASTM designation B 368 for a testing period up to 66 hours.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said impact media comprises glass beads. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said predefined pattern comprises at least one alphanumeric character. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein during the bombarding step, the surface of said at least one of the bright nickel layer and the chromium layer is covered with a stencil material with openings corresponding to said predefined impact zones. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said impact media comprises glass beads delivered through a nozzle at an air pressure of about 50 to 90 pounds per square inch. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , comprising the additional step of depositing a micro-porous nickel layer at a position between the bright nickel layer and the chromium layer. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said base substrate comprises copper plated aluminum. 
     
     
         8 . A chrome plated article formed by the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . A method for patterning a surface of a chrome plated article having substantial corrosion resistance, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a copper plated aluminum substrate;   (b) electroplating a semi-bright nickel layer across the substrate;   (c) electroplating a bright nickel layer across the semi-bright nickel;   (d) bombarding an upper surface of the bright nickel layer with an impact media to produce an array of craters arranged at discrete, predefined impact zones across said upper surface; and   (e) electroplating a chromium layer at a position above the bright nickel, said chromium layer defining an outer show surface of the chrome plated article, said outer show surface having a predefined pattern of dimpled surface zones having a first reflective character in combination with other adjacent surface zones having a second different reflective character, said dimpled surface zones corresponding to said predefined impact zones across the underlying bright nickel layer, wherein the chrome plated article is characterized by substantial corrosion resistance in salt-rich environments such that the chrome plated article remains free from blisters and corrosion spots when subjected to acid-salt spray testing as set forth in ASTM designation B 368 for a testing period up to 66 hours.   
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said impact media comprises glass beads. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said predefined pattern comprises at least one alphanumeric character. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein during the bombarding step, the upper surface of the bright nickel layer is covered with a stencil material with openings corresponding to said predefined impact zones. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said impact media comprises glass beads delivered through a nozzle at an air pressure of about 50 to 90 pounds per square inch. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , comprising the additional step of electroplating a micro-porous nickel layer at a position between the bright nickel layer and the chromium layer. 
     
     
         15 . A chrome plated article formed by the method of  claim 9 . 
     
     
         16 . A method for patterning a surface of a chrome plated article having substantial corrosion resistance, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a copper plated aluminum substrate;   (b) electroplating a semi-bright nickel layer across the substrate;   (c) electroplating a bright nickel layer across the semi-bright nickel;   (d) electroplating a chromium layer at a position above the bright nickel, said chromium layer defining an outer show surface of the chrome plated article, and   (e) bombarding the outer show surface with an impact media to produce an array of craters collectively forming a predefined pattern of dimpled surface zones having a first reflective character in combination with other adjacent surface zones having a second different reflective character, wherein the chrome plated article is characterized by substantial corrosion resistance in salt-rich environments such that the chrome plated article remains free from blisters and corrosion spots when subjected to acid-salt spray testing as set forth in ASTM designation B 368 for a testing period up to 66 hours.   
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein during the bombarding step, the upper surface of the bright nickel layer is covered with a stencil material with openings corresponding to said predefined impact zones. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , comprising the additional step of electroplating a micro-porous nickel layer at a position between the bright nickel layer and the chromium layer.