Improved corrosion and wear resistance. Reduced friction.
Longer part life.
RHK’s hard chrome plating process strengthens hydraulic components by electrochemically depositing a highly durable chromium layer, improving wear resistance, corrosion protection, and overall service life. Each workpiece is carefully cleaned, inspected, and repaired to ensure optimal adhesion, with existing chrome removed and damaged areas corrected.
Pre-polishing to precise dimensions and selective masking ensures only the required surfaces are plated. Post-plating polishing achieves tight dimensional tolerances and a smooth, consistent surface finish. Customers choose hard chrome plating to restore worn rods, reduce friction, extend component lifespan, and improve reliability under demanding industrial conditions. This process minimizes downtime, lowers maintenance costs, and ensures cylinders maintain peak performance in heavy-duty applications.
Suitable Materials for Hard Chrome Plating
Hard chrome plating can be applied to most ferrous and non-ferrous metals, with magnesium and titanium typically requiring a zinc, copper, or nickel underlay. Certain aluminum alloys may also need a copper or nickel base coat.
Commonly plated materials include:
- Steel, cast iron, bronze, brass, stainless steel, and copper
- Hydraulic and pneumatic cylinder rods, stages, and barrels
- Pump, geared, and splined shafts
- Swivel posts and bodies
- Downhole tools and inside diameter bores
Hard Chrome Plating and Polishing
Up to 44′ in length and 24″ in diameter
Hard chrome can be applied in thickness of 0.0005” – 0.025” (0.012mm – 0.635mm)
Hard chrome is classified as a “cold” process where the operating temperature of 58 – 60 degrees Celsius ensures no damage to the physical or mechanical properties of the base material.
Benefits of Hard Chrome Plating
The success of hard chrome plating can be attributed to the many benefits and unique characteristics of the process. The increased hardness alone would not be sufficient to secure widespread use, as a number of hard materials and hardening processes are available. It is the combination of the improved qualities below that give hard chrome plating such remarkable results.
Increased Hardness
Electro-deposited chrome is extremely hard, typically 66-70 HRC. Through hard chrome plating, the surface hardness of your component is increased without modifying its properties.
Corrosion Resistance
Hard chrome has a very high resistance to atmospheric oxidation and a good resistance to most oxidizing and reducing agents (with the exception to Chlorides and other Halides).
Low Friction
Hard chrome has a very low coefficient of friction when compared to steel. This allows a component to operate at a lower temperature during operation, extending the life of your equipment.
Sacrificial Wear Layer
Since hard chroming deposits can be removed with chemical strippers, without destructive effect to base material, the part can be stripped and re-plated repeatedly when worn.
Wear Resistance
The high hardness and low frictional properties of hard chrome, provide excellent resistance to abrasion and mechanical contact.
Lubricant Retention
Microcrack characteristics of hard chrome allows for oil retention which improves lubricity of plated parts.
Hard Chrome Plating FAQs
What is hard chrome plating?
How hard is hard chrome plating?
Does hard chrome rust?
Is hard chrome the same as decorative chrome?
Is hard chrome plating magnetic?
Do you chrome automotive parts?
What materials can be hard chrome plated?
How long does hard chrome plating last?
How much chrome can be applied to a piece?
How many times can a piece be hard chrome plated?
Discover Other Services
Cylinder Repair
Chroming
Honing
Custom Machining
Cylinder Repair
Chroming
Honing
Custom Machining
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