Industrial Hard Chrome Plating

Hard Chrome Electroplating

There are two distinct types of chromium plating, bright chromium plating (decorative) and hard chromium plating (engineering). Hard chrome plating demonstrates excellent hardness, wear minimization, lubricity, friction reduction, and prevention of galling. These characteristics are applicable for critical engineering applications, including: machine tool cutting surfaces, cylinder bores, strut rods, crankshafts and hydraulic shafts. Hard chrome is also applied to molds because of its unique release properties. Hard chrome is generally applied to a bare, properly prepared, ferrous, aluminum, or copper base material. Chem Processing, Inc. can apply multiple finishes to a single part, such as hard chrome/electroless nickel or hard chrome/cadmium.

Chem Processing Inc. hard Chrome Plating Capabilities:

• Typical Plating Thickness Range is 0.00005 to 0.02500 inches. For information on plating over 0.025 in., please contact Chem Processing, Inc.
• Plating of Very Large Parts by Selective Surface Masking
• Hydrogen Embrittlement Relief: parts with a hardness of 36 Rc or greater will be baked a minimum of 3 hours at 375° F to relieve entrapped hydrogen
• Thickness Analysis on a Fischer Technology XDL-B X-Ray Fluorescent Spec

Applicable Specifications:

Properties of Industrial Hard Chrome:

• Hardness: Plated chromium is extremely hard. A conventional bath will yield a Vickers diamond pyramid hardness of 900-1200.
• Very Low Coefficient of Friction: Hard chrome plating offers extended wear life and exhibits excellent release characteristics in mold applications.

Applications of Industrial Hard Chrome:

• Automotive: pistons, shock absorbers and other parts that see high cycles over long periods of time are hard chrome plated for durability and lubricity.
• Firearms: interiors of gun barrels are hard chrome plated.
• Aerospace: landing gear components are hard chrome plated in both OEM and MRO applications. Aluminum piston heads are hard chrome plated to offer optimal performance with minimal weight. Actuator components are hard chrome plated to reduce wear and extend service life.
• Machine Tools: drills, taps, dies, extrusion screws and rolls are hard chrome plated to extend life and improve performance.
• Gears: hard chrome plating prevents galling and extends life in low-friction applications.
• Salvage: hard chrome plating can be used to restore worn parts to their original dimensions or bring mis-machined parts into tolerance.
• Plastic Molds: hard chrome plating provides anti-stick/release properties for plastic molds across all industries.

Chem Processing Inc. offers industrial hard chrome plating services to Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, the Midwest and beyond. CPI is strategically located by highway routes to Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison,St. Louis, and Minneapolis. The CPI facility is minutes from Rockford Chicago International Airport, a major Midwestern air freight hub, enabling efficient door-to-door delivery across the United States or across the globe.