Coatings based on chromium borides and chromium carbides are commonly employed in applications requiring mechanical performance, such as high hardness and low friction coefficient, as well as corrosion resistance. In this work, we made layers of chromium borides and chromium carbides on the surface of low carbon steel through some specific treatments. For chromium borides, the boriding treatment in a solid medium at 900 °C for 4 hours followed by chromium electroplating on the steel surface and finally the application of annealing treatment at temperatures at 950 °C for 1 and 2 hours. For chromium carbides, the cementation in a solid medium followed by electroplating of chromium on the surface and finally the application of annealing treatment at temperatures between 500 and 1100 °C for 1 hour. The obtained results show that, in the first case, boron diffusion and chromium deposition lead to chromium borides on the treated surface. Similarly, for the second case, the cemented layer and the chromium deposited on the surface combine to form chromium carbides on the treated surface after annealing. The characteristics of the chromium borides and chromium carbides obtained are very similar to those of chromium borides and chromium carbides obtained by other processes.
