Hard Chrome Plating FAQ
What is hard chrome plating?
Hard chrome plating is a process in which a layer of chromium is applied to a surface to improve corrosion and abrasion resistance, reduce friction, and extend the life of parts used in extreme wear conditions.
How hard is hard chrome plating?
Hard chrome plating measures between 68 and 72 on the Rockwell “C” scale which is used to determine the indentation hardness of a material. Very hard steels used in tools and quality knife blades typically measure between 55 and 66 on the same scale.
What kind of materials can be hard chrome plated?
Common materials that are hard chrome plated include: Steel, cast iron, stainless steel, bronze, brass, and copper.
What is the difference between chrome and hard chrome?
The difference between hard chrome and decorative chrome is that hard chrome is used for wear resistance and decorative chrome is used for cosmetic purposes. For this reason, decorative chrome is usually much thinner than hard chrome.
Is hard chrome plating magnetic?
Hard chrome plating is a non-magnetic coating.
Does hard chrome rust?
Hard chrome has excellent corrosion resistance, so does it rust? Hard chrome plates in a micro-crack structure so it will rust over extended periods of time in wet environments.
Is chrome plating toxic?
Chromium is a carcinogen in it’s liquid state, but once the plating process is complete the plated material is completely non-toxic.
Is there a difference between chrome and chromium?
While these words are often used interchangably, they are actually slightly different. Chromium is an element on the periodic table, while chrome is the name given to chromium that has been plated onto another material.
How long does hard chrome plating last?
The longevity of hard chrome plating varies depending on the application and the environments the chrome is exposed to, but it typically extends the wear life of the base material by 2 to 10 times.
How does our chrome plating process differ from others?
Hard Chrome Specialists uses conforming anodes to improve deposit deposition. This results in a more uniform plating of the base materials, especially in hard to reach areas like corners and irregular spaces.