Electrodeposition of chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) and their alloys have been subjects of interest for a long time. Owing to their special features such as high corrosion resistance, good wear resistance, lustrous nature etc., Cr and Ni electrodeposit continue to be the subject of investigation and further development, and improvements in their qualities and application remain one of the aims. This paper reviews the advances made so far in Cr and Ni electrodeposited coatings, with special emphasis on showing the potential of the process for achieving high-quality coatings. Furthermore, this review focuses on the mechanisms involved in Cr and Ni electrodepositions, with the aim of understanding the basis and manipulating the processes to produce coatings with excellent features and high-end usage. The issues encountered in the electrodeposition processes and products, as well as proffered solutions via research and development, were also addressed. Finally, long-term prospects and applications of these coatings were discussed to provide powerful and complementary toolkits for engineering applications while enabling future advances in critical aspects identified.

The effect of the post-manufacturing heat treatment (PMHT) on the pitting resistance of the directed energy deposition (DED) 316L stainless steel was evaluated. In an as-manufactured DED 316L, a fully austenitic microstructure with typical cellular structure and large columnar grains was observed. The cellular structure was retained after the PMHT of 850 °C/2 h but fully removed by the PMHT of 1150 °C/1 h, while large columnar grains survived in both cases. Both PHMTs significantly improved the pitting resistance of the DED 316L. Especially, the pitting potential of the DED 316L after the PMHT of 1150 °C/1 h was comparable to that of 2205 duplex stainless steel. The excellent pitting resistance of DED 316L after the PMHT of 1150 °C/1 h was caused by the reduction of residual stress, elimination of cellular structure, and presence of large columnar grains.