Hard chrome plating, which is also known as engineered chrome or industrial chrome plating is used on components and parts across just about all industries. This is a thicker layer of chrome that is applied to a substrate using a carefully controlled electroplating process.
With the use of hard chrome services, it is possible to coat a metal part or component with a layer of chrome that is as thin as 0.00005 of an inch to as heavy as 0.050 of an inch. The specific thickness of the plating may be based on industry standards and specifications, which are usually the military and defense standards, or it can be the recognized standards with a specific field such as medical device manufacturing.
Metals to Consider
A top hard chrome services will be able to provide hard chrome plating on the most commonly used alloys and metals. This includes carbon steels, stainless steels, alloys, copper, bronze, brass and even on cast iron.
In addition, with the use of the engineering and design team at a top chrome plating service, it may be possible to make adjustments to the plating process and the base metal to help to reduce costs and increasing efficiency.
Hardness
The same type of chrome electroplating process is used with hard chrome as well as decorative types of chrome plating. However, hard chrome plating is a specialization and is so named because the surface hardness can be tested due to the thickness of the plate.
In most cases and depending on the specific application and requirements. The hardness of this chrome plating will range between 65 and 70 on the Rockwell C Scale of Hardness.
Hard Chrome Plating Extends the Life of a Part
By plating any new part with hard chrome, it is possible to create a more durable and longer lasting part. For an OEM manufacturer, this enhances the value of the product and also increases customer satisfaction. The coating will also limit corrosion and stop abrasion from leaving surface discoloration and damage.
With older parts that may have surface abrasion, corrosion damage or that need to be re-sized, hard chrome services may be the right solution to the problem. The parts can be ground, plated and then ground again to literally resize the part and have it operating as good as new at a fraction of the price of a new replacement part.
