The present invention relates to an apparatus with a structured hard chrome layer electrodeposited onto a work-piece, the structured hard chrome layer being cup-shaped and/or labyrinth-like and/or column-shaped. The structured hard chrome layer can be electrodeposited from an electrolyte onto the work-piece, said electrolyte containing (a) a Cr (VI) compound in an amount corresponding to 50 g/l to 600 g/l of chromic acid anhydride; (b) 0.5 g/l to 10 g/l of sulphuric acid; (c) 1 g/l to 20 g/l of aliphatic sulphonic acid, comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and (d) 10 g/l to 200 g/l of at least one compound forming a dense cathode film, said compound being selected from among ammonium molybdate, alkali molybdate and alkaline earth molybdate, ammonium vanadate, alkali vanadate and alkaline earth vanadate, ammonium zirconate, alkali zirconate and alkaline earth zirconate.