The DigiChrom project aims to investigate the possibilities and applicability of machine learning in electroplating technology. Artificial intelligence (AI) should help to understand the process-structure-property relationships in chromium(III) deposition and improve the control of the process. The project deals with decorative chromium layers as well as hard chromium and hard chromium dispersion layers. The Department of Electrochemistry and Electroplating at TU Ilmenau is responsible for the deposition and characterization of decorative chrome coatings. The coatings are applied both in beakers and in an automated pilot plant. The various process parameters and influencing variables such as current density, exposure time, pH value, electrolyte composition and service life are varied in several series of tests. The test planning is based on the fluctuations that occur in the industrial process. A total of around 1000 coatings are planned to investigate the large parameter space and to provide sufficient training data for the AI. The target variables for machine learning are typical coating properties such as coating thickness, coating appearance (color, gloss, homogeneity), chemical composition and corrosion resistance. Further information can be found on the MaterialDigital platform project website.
Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Funding code: 13XP5195H
Funding program Material Digital
Duration 01.12.2023 - 30.11.2026
Contact person Dr.-Ing. Christoph Baumer
