Types Of Chrome Plating And Its Application

Numerous manufacturing, production, and consumer goods businesses make use of this plating process. It is commonly known as ‘chrome’ and it provides metal parts and products with a protective coating and lustrous sheen. It can be used for decorative purposes or to improve the desirable qualities of machine parts.

You can accomplish both those things with two different types of plating, one being decorative and the other being hard.

In this guide, we will tell you all about those two types in detail and will further discuss the applications of them both. So, keep reading to find out!

1. Decorative Plating

Another name for it is nickel-chrome plating. The process requires one to electro-plate nickel on the component and then send it for plating. Instead of nickel, copper may occasionally be used for electro-plating as well.

The amount of nickel or copper used determines the smoothness, resistance to corrosion, and reflection of the part. Then the chrome layer is added, which is actually incredibly thin, measuring in a millionth of an inch.

What you see when looking at the decorative chrome-plated surface is predominantly the effects of nickel plating. The chrome, on the other hand, will only be noticeable through the bluish tint on the surface of the product. It guards the product against tarnishing and scratching and increases corrosion resistance.

Here are a few applications of it.

• Car Parts: application of it on various parts of the car makes it resistant to corrosion when exposed to water or snow. This ensures your car parts won’t rust over time and will maintain their aesthetic appeal.
• Tools:  they get the finishing touches of it to enhance durability and make them wear-resistant. These tools can be further used in harsh environments with anything damaging them.
• Kitchen Utensils: it is done on kitchen utensils to make them heat and corrosion-resistant. Plus, it helps make them easy to clean and offers long-term use.
• Musical Instrument Hardware: they sometimes receive this plating to offer them an improved appearance and durability.

2. Hard Plating

A lot of people think both plating is pretty much the same when that is not the case at all. While decorative plating is a very thin layer on the surface of several items to increase their aesthetic appeal, the other one helps in improving the overall durability of the components as well as making them wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant.

The actual procedure entails immersing a surface in an acidic chromic solution to deposit a layer of chromium on it. It is totally possible to deposit it at the exact thickness required for a given application without changing the original component’s qualities. It is frequently done on parts like hydraulic cylinder rods, thread guides, mould surfaces, and piston rings.

The durability and strength are what make it highly useful in a range of different applications. Some of them include:

• Hydraulic pistons and cylinders
• Agriculture and mining equipment
• Components used in printing and textiles
• Mechanical and automotive components
• Moulds, screws, dies, rolls, and other forming surfaces
• Rotors and shafts for pump applications
• Press tooling and punches

Final Words

Now that you know the difference between the two major kinds of plating along with each of their applications, get in touch with us for all your chroming needs. We offer the services of plastic plating as well as decorative and hard plating. So, whichever application best suits your needs, give us a call, and we will be happy to guide you further.