Information about 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 .
The component 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.
- Placed into the chrome plating vat and allowed to warm to solution temperature.
- Plating current applied and 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. Sometimes the component will enter the chrome plating vat electrically live. Sometimes the component will have a conforming anode either made from lead/tin or platinized titanium. A typical hard chrome vat will plate at about 25 micrometres (0.00098 in) per hour. The chrome plating chemicals are very toxic. Disposal of chemicals is regulated in most countries.
