The Advantages of Hard Chrome Plating for Industrial ...

Chrome plating increases the hardness, durability, and corrosion resistance of a surface while also creating a shiny, smooth finish that is easier to clean.

For enhanced wear and corrosion resistance, hard chrome plating stands out. The hardness and durability of a chromium metal surface finish ensure your parts will endure longer, even amid severe mechanical contact and wear. A chrome surface also resists corrosion, making it suitable for harsh environments where other plating materials may deteriorate, exposing the substrate to corrosion.

Here at Hard Chrome Specialists, we are a Pennsylvania leader in industrial surface finishing and plating, proud of our hard chrome plating technology. We have been addressing customers' needs across Pennsylvania in cities like York and Harrisburg, equipped to handle your hard chrome needs with our facility encompassing over 14,000 square feet.

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How Long Does Hard Chrome Plating Last?

The longevity of hard chrome plating varies based on applications and exposure environments but typically extends the wear life of the base material by 2 to 10 times. The lifespan of any chrome plating hinges on several factors:

• Surface preparation care and method
• Choice and quality of plating solution
• Thickness of the plating layer

At Hard Chrome Specialists, we meticulously select our plating parameters to deliver optimal wear, corrosion, and durability characteristics. We thoroughly prepare all materials before plating and maintain a clean, pure bath to eliminate impurities, resulting in top-quality hard chrome plating that provides years of reliable use. In many non-wear situations, our chrome plating can last for decades, even in harsh conditions.

How Long Does Chrome Plating Take?

The hard chrome plating process can take up to a day to complete. The duration depends on several factors, including:

• The size of the items
• The number of items
• The amount of chrome required
• The desired thickness
• Any specific requests

What Is the Use of Chrome Plating?

Initially, chrome plating may appear to serve purely aesthetic purposes. However, while chrome plating offers an attractive finish for a wide range of products, hard chrome surfaces are equally suitable for various industrial applications, such as:

• Hydraulic cylinders and pistons
• Automotive and mechanical components
• Rolls, molds, dies, screws, and forming surfaces
• Press punches and tooling
• Mining and agricultural equipment
• Shafts and rotors for pump applications
• Components used in textiles and printing

These examples represent only a portion of the numerous industrial applications for hard chrome plating. Feel free to contact our team to learn more about additional applications or to discuss your specific chrome plating needs.

What Is the Hard Chrome Plating Process?

Our advanced industrial chrome plating procedure employs an electrical current to pull dissolved metallic chromium from our plating bath, depositing it in a thin layer onto the substrate—your product or material. Through precise bath chemistry and current flow control, we can achieve the desired thickness of chrome plating for your application. Our proven results have made us a trusted name in hard chrome plating on the East Coast and continue to grow our customer base across Pennsylvania, Maryland, and beyond.

Once the chrome layer is deposited, it provides a hard, durable surface that resists wear, impact, and corrosion. You also receive a clean, smooth, attractive surface, easy to clean and inspect for abnormalities. Some industrial chrome plating applications necessitate a consistent and appealing finish, making our chrome plating the perfect solution for years of reliability.

Other Hard Chrome Plating Benefits

The practical advantages of hard chrome plating in terms of wear and corrosion resistance make it highly sought after, but there are additional benefits that enhance its appeal:

• Applicable to a wide range of metals, including stainless steel, copper, and brass
• Can be applied at low temperatures, minimizing effects on the substrate metal
• Suitable for complex and irregular geometries, including holes and bores
• Excellent adherence, reducing the risk of delamination or flaking during use

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When you consider all of these advantages, hard chrome plating yields a superior industrial chrome finish that greatly reduces operating costs and minimizes downtime due to improved wear resistance, hardness, and corrosion response of your plated components.

Appearance Benefits as Well

In addition to its practical advantages, hard chrome provides a bright and appealing finish, suitable for parts that are visible or on display. Achieving an even smoother finish is possible through grinding and polishing, making our industrial hard chrome plating ideal for ball bearing and sliding guide applications.

Common Hard Chrome Problems and How to Resolve Them

Although hard chrome plating presents numerous benefits, challenges may arise both before and after the process. Here are four common problems and their solutions:

• Oxidation: Oxidation naturally occurs with metals, often challenging plating adherence to the base material. To prevent this, apply plating before the metal is exposed to moisture or wind.
• Blistering: This issue arises when nitrogen and hydrogen expand within pores due to heat, creating bubbles on or within the plating. Cleaning the base metal thoroughly before applying hard chrome can mitigate this problem.
• Burned deposits: Rapid chromium deposits in high current densities, usually around edges, can cause burning. To avoid burned deposits, control current density.
• Cleavage points: Often occurring during die-casting, materials may split along structural planes, reducing toughness. Controlling current density during the process can help prevent this.

Hard Chrome FAQs

What is hard chrome plating?

Hard chrome plating involves applying a layer of chromium to a surface to enhance corrosion and abrasion resistance, reduce friction, and extend the life of parts in extreme wear conditions.

How hard is hard chrome plating?

Hard chrome plating measures between 68 and 72 on the Rockwell "C" scale, which determines material hardness. High-quality tool steels typically measure between 55 and 66 on this scale.

What kind of materials can be hard chrome plated?

Commonly hard chrome plated materials include steel, cast iron, stainless steel, bronze, brass, and copper.

What is the difference between chrome and hard chrome?

The main distinction is that hard chrome is used for wear resistance, while decorative chrome is used for cosmetic purposes; therefore, decorative chrome is usually thinner than hard chrome.

Is hard chrome plating magnetic?

No, hard chrome plating is a non-magnetic coating.

Does hard chrome rust?

Despite its excellent corrosion resistance, hard chrome can rust over time in wet environments due to micro-crack structures.

Is chrome plating toxic?

Chromium poses a carcinogenic risk in liquid form, but once plating is complete, the material is entirely non-toxic.

Does the quality of chrome matter?

Absolutely! Utilizing low-quality chrome can be more detrimental than plating; porous finishes expose the base material to substances that can expedite corrosion.

Is there a difference between chrome and chromium?

While commonly confused, chromium is an element on the periodic table, while chrome refers to chromium plated onto another material.

How much does hard chrome plating cost?

Costs can vary widely, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars based on the item's size, quantity, and desired thickness. Hard chrome plating typically costs more than other types due to labor, demand, and material costs.

How thick can chrome plating be applied?

Hard chrome plating thickness typically ranges from 0.001 to 0.008 inches. In contrast, thin dense chrome measures between 0.0001 to 0.0005 inches. Thickness primarily depends on application requirements.

What happens when chrome heats?

Chrome plating becomes softer upon exposure to high temperatures while maintaining weather-resistance properties. Hard chrome helps extend the base material's lifespan.

Can you re-chrome over chrome?

Re-chroming is feasible. Old deposits can be removed with chemical strippers, allowing us to polish the surface and re-plate the material, albeit requiring more preparation for desired finishes.

How does our chrome plating process differ from others?

Hard Chrome Specialists employs conforming anodes to enhance deposit distribution, resulting in more uniform plating of base materials, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. It's clear why many Pennsylvania industrial customers are now turning to our advanced chrome plating services. Fill out our contact form or call us, and we’ll begin studying your project to understand your unique product and material requirements. Our industrial chrome plating capabilities at our Pennsylvania facility can handle any job—let's get started today!

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