Industrial Hard Chrome Plating

Industrial chromium plating, also known as hard chrome or engineered chrome, is used for working surfaces that require one or more of the following characteristics:

• Reduced friction
• Improved wear resistance
• Increased corrosion resistance
• Chemical Inertness
• Resistance to wetting or galling

Industrial Chrome Vs Decorative Chrome

While industrial hard chrome does provide an attractive finish, it is not to be confused with decorative chrome (such as might be applied to furniture, hub caps, exhaust pipes, bumpers, and wheels). Whereas decorative chrome is intended primarily to provide aesthetic appeal, industrial hard chrome is a rugged and durable plating designed
specifically to resist corrosion and wear.

Industrial chrome plating is very hard, measuring between 66 to 70 HRC. It tends to be thicker than the decorative treatment, but thinner layers are not uncommon. Surface defects and roughness are amplified, because hard chrome does not have a leveling effect.

Substrates for Hard Chrome

Industrial hard chrome plating can be applied to a wide variety of materials (substrates) including:

• Stainless Steel
• Cast Iron
• Aluminum (Ni/Cr Process)
• Copper
• Bronze
• Nickel
• Steel

Have a part not shown in the list above? Contact our sales department to find out if industrial hard chrome plating may still be a good option for your particular situation.

Finishes and Options

• Satin
• Matte
• Ground
• Polished
• Honed
• RA (2 and above)

The above finishes are achieved by special pre-plate processes specific to the customer’s request and application.

Our Production Capabilities

From our state-of-the-art 35,000 square foot facility in Canton, Ohio, we provide plating to customers from across the continental United States. Our production capabilities include:

• ten plating tanks for fast turn-around
• plating capabilities up to 321” in length and 30” O.D.
• flash up to .0005″ thickness (chrome)
• extremely precise tolerances
• small and large parts
• rack
• prototypes
• production runs from 1-1MM pieces

From start to finish, we understand that every step of the production process is critical to achieving the standards both we and our customers expect. That’s why we can also provide pre- and post-plating services upon request, such as abrasive blasting, buffing and polishing, centerless belt-sanding, and stripping. See Extended Services for a complete list.