Chrome Plating

Chrome plating, often referred to simply as chrome, is a technique of electroplating a thin layer of chromium onto a metal object. The chromed layer can be decorative, provide corrosion resistance, ease cleaning procedures, or increase surface hardness.

Process
A component to be chrome plated will generally go through these different stages:

• degreasing to remove heavy soiling
• manual cleaning to remove all residual traces of dirt and surface impurities.
• various pretreatments depending on the substrate.
• placement into the chrome plating vat, where it is allowed to warm to solution temperature.
• application of plating current, under which the component is left for the required time to attain thickness.

There are many variations to this process depending on the type of substrate being plated upon. Different etching solutions are used for different substrates. Hydrochloric, hydrofluoric, and sulfuric acids can be used. Ferric chloride is also popular for the etching of Nimonic alloys.

Various Linishing and Buffing processes are used in preparing components for decorative chrome plating. The overall appearance of decorative chrome plating is only as good as the preparation of the component.

Some components which benefit from plating with Hard Chrome are:

• Pump Shafts & Rotors
• Hydraulic Rams & Cylinders 
• Print Rollers
• Gear Shafts
• Seal Paths
• Motorcycle Forks
• Hopper Plates
• Packaging Formers
• Wear Rails & Rods