What is industrial hard chrome?
Industrial hard chrome exhibits the best combination of engineering properties when compared to all other plated metals, including the lowest coefficient of friction and anti-galling. It is the second hardest organic surface, next to a diamond, measuring 72-73 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale. The surface is non-magnetic and heat-resistant to 1200 degrees F and has outstanding wear characteristics, durability and excellent corrosion resistance. It can be applied thickly for salvage or thinly for functional requirements.

Can you chrome my car bumper?
No. We understand that you want your car to look great, but decorative chroming is a different process entirely. There are several decorative chroming shops in the area. Look under "Plating" in the yellow pages and they should list decorative (bumper) chroming as one of their services.

How does hard chroming work?
Because of its density and hardness, hard chrome provides durability and corrosion resistance unequaled by any other plating surface. The ability to apply (and then reapply) this unique surface protects and extends the life-cycle of parts like hydraulic shafts, seal surfaces, hitch pins, weight-bearing surfaces, printing press rollers, transmission shafts, concrete processing parts, tooling parts, and virtually any part that wears against another.

How is hard chrome applied?
Industrial hard chroming is an electroplating process where the parts are submerged in a liquid bath of chromic acid and, with the addition of electric current, a crust of chrome will build up a few thousandths of a inch per hour, rather than a "dip" method as some people assume. The process is incremental, determined by electro-chemical reactions, and cannot be hurried or rushed. There are specific guidelines that must be adhered to in order to ensure a satisfactory result.

When does hard chrome make sense for my application?
Hard chrome extends the life-cycle of:

• Weight-bearing parts that become worn and damaged, such as axles, hydraulic shafts, hitch pins, bearing surfaces, seal surfaces, form rollers
• Parts that need to resist corrosion such as small tool and die parts and molds
• Repetitively used parts such as printing presses and slicing tools
• Parts that need to resist abrasion such as concrete processing parts and nozzles, even hand trowels

When your part needs protection from wear, or to be restored to better-than-new condition, hard chrome will meet your needs.

How can hard chrome extend the life of my part (and save me money)?
The hard chrome process will save you money by protecting new parts, and repairing used and/or worn parts to better-than-new condition at a cost that can be much less than the cost of a replacement.  Our thicker coating will result in a longer-lasting part which lowers maintenance and tear-down expenses.  And the turn-around time of our repairs is usually much less than waiting for a new part, so you also save money on down time.    

What kind of parts do you work on?

• Weight-bearing parts that become worn and damaged
• Virtually any part that wears against another
• Parts that need to resist corrosion
• Repetitively used parts
• Parts that need to resist abrasion

For Example:

• hydraulic shafts
• seal surfaces
• weight bearing surfaces
• printing press rollers
• transmission shafts
• concrete processing parts
• axles
• bearing surfaces
• small tool & die parts
• slicing tools
• nozzles
• hitch pins
• pump shafts
• molding & forming parts
• pneumatic air cylinder parts
• hand trowels

What surfaces can be hard chromed?
We can chrome virtually any type of metal EXCEPT aluminum, "pot" metal, and some types of cast iron. We cannot chrome plastic or other non-metal surfaces.

What size parts do you work on?
We plate parts less than one square inch in size to as large as 12 feet long, 18 inch diameter and 1,000 pounds.

What's the normal turn-around time?
Chroming times usually vary from 3 to 5 days depending on:

• the severity of the damage or wear (preparation may include straightening, welding, repairs, grinding and/or polishing)
• the thickness of the chroming required (amount of time in the chroming tank)
• custom fixtures and processes
• finish work (final grinding to size and polishing)
• shop workload

We can offer expedited processing in emergency situations.

How much does hard chroming cost?
This will vary depending on the size and shape of the part, the thickness of the chrome required, condition of the part, preparation needed, custom fixtures or processes, and your desired results. Call us for a free quote.