Hard chromium plating is the thick, hard metal chromium plate deposited on a metal surface to dramatically increase the metal surface's wear resistance, surface hardness, and corrosion protection.

Key Features:

• Thick and hard coating: In contrast to for-ornamental chrome plating, hard chromium plating creates a thicker coating (typically 10–500 microns) with useful function instead of mere appearance.
• Improved Surface Properties: The plated coating enhances the hardness, lowers friction, and increases the service life of machine components with severe wear, abrasion, or sliding contact.
• Universal Industrial Application: Hard chromium plating is extensively utilized for parts like hydraulic rods, piston rings, printing rollers, and molds that demand superior durability and accuracy.

The value of hard chromium plating is that it can restore worn components and give new ones superior surface characteristics. Hydraulic cylinders, for example, benefit from the plating's smooth, hard surface, which reduces friction and wear, allowing them to operate efficiently. In dies and molds, the plating wears and corrodes less with repeated use but holds its dimensions stable. In spite of concerns about the environmental impact based on the chemicals used, advancements such as trivalent chromium baths and other alternative coatings just continue to advance, making hard chromium plating an important process for optimizing the life and performance of critical components in harsh industrial applications.