Influence of the Current Regime during Electrodeposition in a Cr(III)-Containing Fe-Cr-Ni Electrolyte on the Near-Surface pH, Alloy Composition, and Microcrack Behavior
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Thank you for inviting me to evaluate the work titled “Near-surface in-situ pH measurement during electrodepositions in a Cr(III)-containing Fe-Cr-Ni electrolyte and the impact of the current regime on the alloy composition and microcrack behavior”. This work investigated the effect of current patterns on surface properties and the intrinsic relationship between microstructure and alloy composition. The article is well structured, but there are still some parts that could be further improved. The following are some unclear parts of this manuscript:
1. Figure quality and line processing are unclear. For example, the vertical coordinates of Figure 3 are very crowded, and the two data lines are blurred and very close in color. Figure 4 also has this problem, two similar colors are difficult to distinguish and contrast, making the data presentation poor. The same color scheme and image resolution problems also appear in other images.
2. There are some descriptions of the surface condition such as "matte" and "rough" in the results and discussion. Would the authors consider adding some photos of the existing surfaces to make the discussion more convincing?
3. Which has a more significant impact on practical applications, vertical or horizontal microcracking?
Author Response
- Figure quality and line processing are unclear. For example, the vertical coordinates of Figure 3 are very crowded, and the two data lines are blurred and very close in color. Figure 4 also has this problem, two similar colors are difficult to distinguish and contrast, making the data presentation poor. The same color scheme and image resolution problems also appear in other images.
--> The figures have been revised.
- There are some descriptions of the surface condition such as "matte" and "rough" in the results and discussion. Would the authors consider adding some photos of the existing surfaces to make the discussion more convincing?
--> A short addition to this in line 267
Since we performed the coating on the self-printed caps shown in the paper, the representation of the surface as a photo is rather inconvenient. However, the roughness of the surface can be sufficiently recognized from the SEM images.
- Which has a more significant impact on practical applications, vertical or horizontal microcracking?
--> L. 475-477: In ordinary Cr coatings, vertical cracks are typical and decisive. Exclusively vertical cracks are rather uncommon, therefore their formation and effects are still insufficiently understood and therefore part of future research.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
This paper presents near-surface in-situ pH measurements on the cathode during electrodeposition of a Cr(III)-based Fe-Cr-Ni electrolyte for different current modes. It was analyzed the amount of pH increase and identified its influence on the microstructure of the deposited layers. Moreover, the influence of the current mode on the alloy composition was investigated. The results showed that by stepped DC deposition, it is possible to successfully regulate the pH at the cathode surface and thus limit chromium hydride formation. This can decrease residual stresses in the layers and following crack formation.
In a whole, the paper is written on high scientific level.
However, I recommend to shorten the very long paper title.
Moreover, English text must be checked very carefully and improved. Only two examples:
(Line 14) “…with a with a…”
(Line 60) “eunderstoode”
Author Response
However, I recommend to shorten the very long paper title.
--> The title was adjusted
Moreover, English text must be checked very carefully and improved. Only two examples:
(Line 14) “…with a with a…”
(Line 60) “eunderstoode”
--> A thorough check for errors was performed.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
