Engineering Partnerships That Outperform
The information within this article details and compares several properties of Hard Chrome, also called Chromium, in relation to Hardness, Coefficient of Friction, Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion, and Corrosion Resistance.
Objects are rarely ever made of solid chrome. Rather, when you hear that something is chrome, it’s more than likely that said object is chrome plated. That means that there’s a thin layer of chrome plating the surface of the object.
Increasing an object’s strength and durability, improved wear and/or corrosion resistance, reduced sliding forces (friction), improved release properties, changes to optical properties, and altering the appearance are several reasons to use a metal finishing.
Every day the majority of people around the world will come into contact with an object that has been improved through electroplating. Here we explain all about electroplating so you know whether electroplating is right for your process.
When preparing machined surfaces for hard chrome plating, we suggest these recommendations to make sure your plating operation runs smoothly. We discuss pre-treat, chrome’s effect on a surface, specifying chrome on a blueprint, and suggested thickness and tolerance holds.
When supplying information to your plating supplier, it is most important to note specific plating details and requirements on the purchase order and/or the blueprints. Important requirements should be clearly defined to avoid confusion or mistakes.
The pursuit of viable hard chrome alternative plating & electroless plating processes has been in the forefront of forward thinking companies in recent years. Reducing or eliminating the use of hazardous materials in the manufacturing process is in the best interests of all.
Chrome Plating is a technique of electroplating a thin layer of chromium onto a metal or plastic object. There are two main types of chrome plating used by industries today, hard chrome (industrial or engineered chrome) and decorative chrome (bright or show chrome).
Aluminum offers engineers weight saving advantages in their product design; however, aluminum has poor wear and friction properties. In addition, the surface oxide layer of this chemically active metal, which gives it corrosion resistance, makes it a very difficult metal to plate.
Titanium has increased in use because of its high strength to weight ratio coupled with excellent heat and corrosion resistance. Titanium has proven to be a very difficult substrate on which to deposit any coating because of its tough surface oxide layer.
This article provides a basic overview of the most common hard chrome plating specifications including a breakdown of class, appearance, finish, and type. AMS, ASTM & MIL-STD chromium specifications.
We’re confident US Chrome will be your best option for your chrome plating applications because of our engineering approach, exceptional customer service, and regional locations. Contact us now with your questions or coating challenges.
We’ll help you find the right answer.
Subscribe to our newsletter to learn more about the electroplating industry!
US Chrome has been helping engineers find solutions to surface coating challenges for more than 80 years.
